Jackson Carlaw MSP has paid tribute to Giffnock resident and Holocaust Survivor, Henry Wuga who has passed away weeks after celebrating his 100th birthday.
Henry was sent to Glasgow after arriving in the UK on the Kindertransport in 1939 and he was evacuated to Perth following the start of the Second World War.
When Henry returned to Glasgow in later years, he met his future wife, Ingrid Wolff who also entered the UK on the Kindertransport.
Both Henry and Ingrid devoted considerable amounts of time to Holocaust Education and spent 20 years fundraising for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
Henry also dedicated himself to teaching people with missing limbs how to ski and in 1999, he was awarded an MBE for services to sport for disabled people.
Ingrid received a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2019 for services to Holocaust Education and she sadly passed away in the following year.
Henry reached his 100th birthday on 23rd February 2024 and he passed away at home peacefully on Friday.
On the day before Henry turned 100, Mr Carlaw raised the milestone occasion at First Minister’s Questions and he also submitted a parliamentary motion to mark the centenary.
Mr Carlaw has now tabled a further motion at Holyrood to express regret at Henry’s sad passing.
Jackson Carlaw MSP for Eastwood said:
“How joyful it was just last month to celebrate with Henry the reaching of his centenary.
“It was marked in style, publicly and privately by so many across the country in which he and his beloved wife Ingrid enjoyed their life together and particularly here in East Renfrewshire where they made their home.
“We mourn Henry's passing and send much love to his daughters Gillian and Hilary, his grandsons and great-grandsons.
“In his own quiet way, Henry was a Statesman, a man who with his late wife, Ingrid became an ambassador for education on the lessons and legacy of the Holocaust.
“The years Henry and Ingrid gave over to sharing their story in schools across Scotland will never be forgotten by those who sat enthralled and deeply moved by the unique experience of a lifetime.
"That legacy will now continue through the testimony which Henry recently recorded to ensure his experiences remain available for others and for years to come on film.
“What a man, what a life. May his memory be a blessing.”
Jackson Carlaw's Parliamentary Motion:
Motion Title: Holocaust Survivor, Henry Wuga’s sad passing
Motion Text: That the parliament acknowledges with regret the sad passing of Holocaust Survivor and Giffnock resident, Henry Wuga; notes that Henry died peacefully at home on Friday 15th March and weeks after he reached the milestone age of 100 years old on 24th February; recognises that Henry first entered the UK on the Kindertransport in 1939 and he was initially sent to Glasgow; further recognises that Henry was evacuated to Perth after the start of hostilities in the Second World War but later returned to Glasgow where he met his future wife, Ingrid Wolff; acknowledges that Henry and Ingrid married on 27th December 1944 and celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2019; understands that Henry and Ingrid spent countless hours sharing their own testimony and educating others about the Holocaust; notes that for a period of 20 years, Henry and Ingrid were involved with fundraising activities for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice; acknowledges that Henry worked as a ski instructor for the British Limbless Ex-Serviceman’s Association (BLESMA) and he taught people who had limbs missing how to ski; recognises that Henry received the commendation of MBE in 1999 for services to sport for disabled people and Ingrid was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2019 for her dedication to Holocaust Education before she sadly passed away in October 2020; reflects that Henry had an incredible life and offers condolences to family and friends at his sad passing.