Meet the Holocaust Survivor: John Hajdu MBE

John Hajdu MBE was born in Budapest in 1937 into a Jewish family whose lives were upended by the Holocaust. As a child, he witnessed the rise of antisemitism, the deportation of his parents, and life in the Budapest Ghetto. Thanks to the bravery of his aunt, John narrowly escaped deportation and survived the war under terrifying conditions. His early life tells a powerful story of loss, courage and survival during one of history's darkest periods. 

After the war, John lived under Hungary's Communist regime before fleeing during the 1956 uprising. He arrived in the UK as a refugee in 1957 with little more than hope for a new start. Despite the challenges, John build a successful life, working in hospitality and serving his local community.