He escaped to England with his mother in 1939, shortly before the outbreak of war. His father, an officer in the First World War, had arranged their escape with his contacts in high places, but he remained behind, believing he could rely on these "contacts" to protect him.
He left for England along with his mother in 1939, just before the war began. His father, who fought in World War I, had made secret arrangements for their escape through influential people, but he stayed behind, trusting that they would keep him safe.