The liberation of Bergen-Belsen

Organised by HMDT and The Light Dragoons, the event gave soldiers the opportunity to hear from John Wood, son of Lt Col Leonard Berney, one of the first Allied troops to arrive at Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp in 1945. Guests also heard reflections from HMDT’s Chief Operating Officer, Paul Lopez-Salzedo, and Lt Col Dan Lenherr, Commanding Officer, The Light Dragoons. There was also a poignant Act of Remembrance and a minute of silence under the memorial oak tree, which Holocaust survivors Mala Tribich MBE and Alfred Garwood MBE helped plant during last year’s commemorative event.

Eighty-one years ago, on 15 April 1945, the British Army liberated Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp and found around 53,000 prisoners, the majority of whom were emaciated and suffering from various diseases. The Light Dragoons antecedent Regiment, 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars, were one of the first British forces to liberate Bergen-Belsen – among them was Lt Col Leonard Berney. He remained there for 14 weeks, helping to save as many lives as possible, and became the Commander of the Belsen Displaced Persons Camp.

For three decades, Leonard did not speak about his account at Bergen-Belsen until he told his son John Wood. He then also began publicly sharing his experiences and the horrors he saw to help educate current and future generations of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Speaking at the event, John said: “The message I want to leave you with is the importance of improving Human Rights education as key to building a better and more compassionate society.”

Paul Lopez-Salzedo, HMDT’s COO, said: “We are very grateful to The Light Dragoons for their special partnership and for their support in hosting this event. Together, we honour not only those who were murdered at Bergen-Belsen, and the British soldiers who liberated the survivors, but also the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were killed during the Holocaust.

Lt Col Dan Lenherr, Commanding Officer, The Light Dragoons, added: “This event served as a powerful reminder that we must not forget the horrors of the past and that we all have a duty to ensure that they are never repeated.”

John Wood is an ambassador for Generation 2 Generation, a Holocaust Education Charity, which empowers second and third generation Holocaust survivor descendants to share their family histories with a wide range of audiences. Generation 2 Generation is part of HMDT’s Partnership Group, which brings together sister organisations within the sector to extend the reach and impact of Holocaust Memorial Day and Holocaust education.

Image copyright: The Light Dragoons