A life lived in honour
Jane Haining’s death in Auschwitz must not be allowed to overshadow her courage and love
first as a pay clerk, then as a secretary. She was 30 when she felt a call to do mission work, and, after taking a course at the College of Domestic Science, was appointed matron at the Church of Scotland’s Mission School in Budapest (missionary work was directed at Jews, but there doesn’t seem to have been pressure on the girls to convert). It was a good school. She worked devotedly and was popular.
She had learned German before going to Budapest – though it’s not clear when or how – and she soon learned Hungarian also. Her competence is obvious and pupils who survived the war all testify to her efficiency, kindness and understanding. She evidently loved the work and was devoted to the girls in her care. When war broke out she felt it her duty to remain with her charges. Though there was much antisemitism in Hungary, she was in no great danger till the authoritarian regent, Admiral Horthy, sniffed the wind, tried to break with Germany, and the German army moved in. Possibly it was then too late for Jane to escape – even if she had wanted to. But she didn’t. She remained true to her trust, and was condemned to Auschwitz.
Her story is both moving and ultimately horrifying, and Miller tells it extremely well. She would, I guess, have been deeply embarrassed if anyone had called her a heroine, but that is undoubtedly what she was. Moreover, unlike some who attain heroic stature, she seems to have been as likeable as she was admirable.
Missionaries are unfashionable now, unless they call themselves aid workers. Even a charity like Christian Aid doesn’t go big on conversion. This is held to show a lack of respect for other people’s religion. A missionary is therefore to be regarded as an