History Brought To Life: Tomi Komoly BEM Shares His Holocaust Survivor Testimony

Academic Culture & Events

In a powerful morning of reflection and education, our Upper Four students, and Humanities GCSE and A Level students heard the first-hand testimony of Holocaust survivor Tomi Komoly BEM. The event, organised in collaboration with the Holocaust Educational Trust, offered a rare and vital opportunity for the next generation to engage with living history.

Moreton Hall was proud to offer this as an Outreach Event to surrounding schools with Year 9 pupils from Sir John Talbot’s School, Thomas Adams School, The Priory School, and St Martins School also in attendance.

Tomi Komoly was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1936. During his testimony, he explained how he survived the Nazi occupation and the subsequent Arrow Cross regime. He detailed the increasingly restrictive anti-Jewish laws, his time living in a “Yellow Star House,” and his eventual survival in a “protected house” through the bravery of international diplomats. His story was not just one of hardship, but of the profound impact of the choices of both the perpetrators and the people responsible for ensuring his survival.

The formal testimony was followed by a deeply engaging hour-long Q&A session. Our students and visiting schools showed remarkable maturity, asking insightful questions that Tomi commented on after the event. His responses included insight into the psychological toll of hiding during the war, the importance of maintaining historical memory in the 21st century, and Tomi’s perspective on current prejudice and social responsibility. The Holocaust Educational Trust works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of survivors continue to resonate. By hosting this event, our school community reaffirmed its commitment to understanding the past to safeguard the future.

“The event allowed personal insight into the events of the Holocaust and the importance of remembering it in society today” – L6 History

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Tomi Komoly BEM for his generosity, and to the Holocaust Educational Trust for making this unforgettable encounter possible.