A BRONZE statue commemorating the children who were saved from Nazi Europe by boarding the Kindertransport could be installed in Harwich if plans are approved.

The sculpture would remember the thousands of child refugees who escaped Hitler’s reign of terror ahead of the Second World War.

About 10,000 children - most of whom were Jewish - were packed off on the Kindertransport to find safety in Britain between December 1938 and September 1939.

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After being dropped off at Parkeston Quay, children stayed at Dovercourt’s holiday camp before they were taken off to foster families across the country.

To remember Harwich’s role in the humanitarian mission, a group launched the Harwich Kindertransport Project with the aim of having a memorial sculpture made for the town.

Project organisers have now lodged the plans for the bronze statue to Tendring Council.

Nigel Spencer, founder of the project, said: “We have put in the application and we are quite confident the people of Harwich will be very supportive.

“The statue is a reminder that history shows in dark times there will be light at the end of the tunnel.”

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The planning statement, sent to Tendring Council’s planning portal, said: “Harwich played such a crucial role in the narrative of the Kindertransport and yet there are few reminders of that history in the town, apart from two plaques and an exhibition in the Harwich Redoubt Fort, which is open only on limited occasions.

“The town council and townspeople of Harwich and Dovercourt are justly proud of their area’s contribution to the Kindertransport story.”

It is hoped the statue can be placed along Harwich Quay by the Pier Hotel.

Discussions have been in place about making a Meisler-style statue.

Frank Meisler designed a series of Kindertransport statues in London, Berlin, the Hook of Holland and Gdansk, in Poland, before he died.

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The statement added: “Harwich is missing from this journey. The project will seek to complete the journey.

“A memorial statue would provide a powerful focal point for visitors to Harwich and townspeople wishing to commemorate the Kindertransport.”

The statue would also provide a gathering point for memorial services as well as Kindertransport-related tours of the town, the outline planning application stated.

Project organisers want to develop a space within the town to use as an education centre dedicated to teaching students about Kindertransport.