Hungarian interview - Istvan Hegedus

Istvan Hegedus took an active part in the 1956 Revolution. Family was sent to Britain for winter months. Details of revolt, radio free Europe, story of escape, pioneer movement - western European perspective of 1956 revolution. Spent WWII in Fehérmegye. Remembers 1946 - post WWII Budapest, bombed bridges. Began Grade 1 in Buda. Father lost his job in the National Bank of Hungary because children were receiving Catholic education. 1948 - 1956 describes years of turbulence in Hungarian history. Hungarian Scouting Movement banned in 1948. Parents sheltered children from terror. Enrolled in Rákóczi gymnasium, BEM Szobor meeting, demonstration, 12 points of 1848. Crossed Pest side to demonstrate against Ern? Ger?. On October 25 Széna tér, in the parliament square, hundreds of people are shot. Post October events: arrival of food, free radio, words of Mindszenty, Nagy Imre calls for help Nov 4. Kádár János and Munich Ferenc. Mr. Istvan tells the story of his escape from Hungary on November 24, 1956. Family escapes to Austria border by train, afraid due to rumors of AVO killings. Escape through field. Mother believes she is in Austria side, but it really is a Croatian village in Hungary, but it was a Croatian settlement in Hungary. Family was led by Croat woman to Austrian border, crossed border and goes to camp at Eisenstadt. Family reunites in camp, wants to go to USA but have to go to Britain first, en route to England. Fr. Speck helped millions of refugees. Arrival in Dover, goes to London refugee camp. 1958 USA pays restitution to Hungarians for not being able to accept them. Scotland -- sent to Benedictine Monastery for High School, later to University of Aberdeen, then U. of London for teaching diploma. Immigrates to Canada in 1969, raises three children. The family becomes active in Helicon Hungarian School, and the Scouts.