HUNGARIAN REVOLUTION – 1956
Sixty years ago this month, overt rumblings of discontent began to appear in the cities of Hungary. Underground newspapers and newsletters began to be circulated more widely, which made the government even more alert to dissident activities. Of course the real action and killings started between the 4th November to the 31 December, which was well documented by the then eminent photographer, Erich Lessing and the world’s press. Soviet press was a different matter……

Although the killings were substantial in the capital, and the Prime Minister, Imre Nagy tried and hanged, the real number of sufferers were those who chose to escape. In fact 155,000 Hungarians tramped to the Austro-Hungarian border via an Austrian village called Andou. Thence to Vienna (Wien) to fly to Blackbushe airport, near Camberley in Surrey. The Hungarian Army removed the Iron Curtain twixt Hungary and Austria in May 1956.

Why am I telling you of this story? My girlfriend at the time was called Theresa whose father, Joseph Schrapf (1895-1971, and originally from Strasbourg) was an International Interpreter and spoke Hungarian. So we three went to Blackbushe in the evenings to welcome these refugees – me with cigarettes, and Theresa with sweets. Another Hungarian emigree from the Royal Aircraft Establishment and Schrapf worked very hard advising and calming shattered nerves. Convoys of army buses then took them off to temporary accommodation. One little child who came through (although we didn’t know it at the time) was Joe Bugner who later became a prominent boxer, now resident in Australia.

With 79,000 Hungarians in this country, perhaps it would a nice touch if you could put together a “Special” later in the year to commemorate those times. Lessing’s mono photographs are particularly powerful, and I am sure your specialists could interview many people involved, both in Hungary, Vienna and here in Blighty. Please don’t hesitate to contact me, I would be delighted if you want to talk through any points.

Yours faithfully
Dobra