MP "delighted" borough hero is to receive honour (From Dudley News)

MP "delighted" borough hero is to receive honour

2:36pm Friday 1st May 2009

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DUDLEY North MP Ian Austin has welcomed the news that borough hero Frank Foley is to be posthumously honoured for saving the lives of around 10,000 Jews during the Holocaust.

Campaigners had been hoping for years to see the wartime spy, known as the British Schindler, recognised by his country for his selfless actions.

And last week - more than half a century after his death - Prime Minister Gordon Brown annouced a new award was to be introduced honouring the British heroes of the Holocaust.

Foley, who forged papers to enable up to thousands of people to flee the Nazis while he was working as a passport control officer in Berlin during the 1930s, was honoured by the State of Israel as Righteous Amongst the Nations - the same award granted to Oskar Schindler.

But he never received any formal recognition in the UK for his brave actions.

Labour MP Ian Austin - who was one of those backing the Holocaust Educational Trust’s campaign to honour Holocaust heroes - said: “I am delighted that Frank Foley has finally got the recognition his brave and selfless acts deserve.

“It is more important than ever that we remember those who fought against the evil of fascism.

“Frank Foley’s actions and strength in the face of unbelievable danger embody the great British values of democracy, freedom, fairness, equality and tolerance.”

Ian together with Lynda Waltho, MP for Stourbridge - where Frank Foley lived out his days after retiring, last year organised a lecture to mark the 50th anniversary of Foley’s death.

And Lynda tabled a a parliamentary motion backing calls for a suitable honour to be introduced.

Following his Holocaust bravery, MI6 agent Foley retired to Eveson Road in Norton, Stourbridge, and lived in anonymity until his death in 1958 at the age of 73.

A commemorative stone plaque marking his place in history stands in nearby Mary Stevens Park and Dudley Council runs an annual award for community spirit in his name.

The Cabinet Office now plans to speak to relatives of Holocaust rescuers to decide on an appropriate form for the official award to take.

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