Nicholas Winton quietly organized the escape of 669 mostly Jewish children from Czechoslovakia at the start of World War II when the Nazis were marching in.

Winton was a 29-year-old stockbroker in 1938, when he spent nights and weekends helping a diplomat friend by organizing logistics, raising money and cutting through red tape to transport the children to safety. He also found foster families for all the children.

The survivors call themselves "Winton's Children" and on his 100th birthday, the individuals he saved–now with families of their own– joined him aboard a special steam train that traveled from Prague to London, to retrace their original route to safety. (Watch the video)

Sir Nicholas, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, died on Wednesday in Maidenhead, England. He was 106.

(WATCH the video tribute below – or READ the obituary from the New York Times)

SHARE the Tribute… (below)