Sir David Attenborough: My 'sisters' from the Kindertransport

Sir David last year hosted a reunion for descendants of both families and, speaking at the weekend, described the girls as “our sisters really”. But he felt inhibited talking about it as it was ‘nothing to do with me – it’s a credit to my parents”.

Now Helga’s daughters have released her diaries, letters and other documents to Leicester University (the family home of the Attenborough family was in Leicester).

Irene died in 1994, Helga in 2005. Jutta, who eventually joined them in America, is now 99.

The sisters maintained their links with the Attenboroughs. Sir Richard Attenborough invited family members to his New York film premieres. One of Helga’s grandsons was inspired by Sir David to become an environmentalist.

Helga’s daughter, Beverly Rich, said that as guests left the reunion, Sir David appreciated the significance of his parents' benevolence.

“I think that when he looked at all of us leaving, it hit him that we would probably not have existed if it was not for the humanitarian kindness of his family.”