A Polish Jew and Austrian by marriage, Dr Olga Muller qualified as a dentist in Austria, where her M.D. degree also qualified her to practice Medicine.

She and her husband with their two young daughters, escaped from Nazi persecution in the nick of time just before the outbreak of war in 1939.

They came to England, leaving behind their home, their dental practice, and her husband’s business. Her sister and family were less fortunate, remaining in Poland and eventually being transported to Auschwitz.

The Austrian M.D. was not recognized in Britain at the time. 

Olga was in desperate need of an income, as her husband was interned for the duration of the war. She therefore applied for a job as a nurse at the newly establishes Accident Hospital.

Several months later, the Austrian M.D. was recognized in Britain, and she was able to be promoted to the medical staff, as part-time Casualty Officer, where she worked until the Austrian government eventually granted her a small pension, and she retired at the age of 81.

Her sister and niece survived Auschwitz and came to join her in Birmingham. Her niece Kitty Hart wrote two autobiographical books about her experiences – “I am Alive” and “Return to Auschwitz”