British Army & HMDT Honour Bergen-Belsen Liberation

Organised by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) and The Light Dragoons, the gathering gave soldiers the opportunity to hear first-hand from two survivors of Bergen-Belsen, Mala Tribich MBE and Alfred Garwood MBE.
The Light Dragoons antecedent Regiment, 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars, were one of the first British forces to liberate the Nazi concentration camp on 15 April 1945, revealing its horrors to the world.

Before sharing their experiences of the Holocaust, which saw the systematic murder of six million Jews, the two survivors took part in a poignant ceremony that included the planting of an oak tree, a living tribute to remembrance and resilience.  They also wrote personal reflections on the lessons of history and their hopes for the future. These heartfelt messages have been sealed in a time capsule, which will be opened in 2045 on the 100th anniversary of Bergen-Belsen’s liberation – ensuring their voices and legacy endure for generations to come.

Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE, Chief Executive of HMDT, said:

“I’m deeply grateful to The Light Dragoons for their invaluable partnership in making this event possible.  Their connection to Bergen-Belsen made the collaboration especially meaningful. Together, we honoured not only those who were murdered at Bergen-Belsen and the British soldiers who liberated the survivors, but all six million Jews killed during the Holocaust. This commemoration served as both a reflection on the past and a commitment to the future – an affirmation of our responsibility to stand against hate and uphold the values of freedom and dignity for all”.

Lt Col Daniel Lenherr, Commanding Officer of The Light Dragoons, said:

“Today we gathered not only to remember those who died in Bergen-Belsen, but also to reflect on the unimaginable suffering experienced by the survivors. We must also acknowledge the significant role of our predecessors, the 15th/19th The King’s Royal Hussars, who having endured fierce fighting from landing on Gold Beach in Normandy, were one of the first units to witness the horrors of the camp. We were deeply honoured and humbled to listen to the testimonies of two survivors, Dr Alfred Garwood MBE and Mala Tribich MBE, whose reflections brought the dark realities of the camp to life, reminding us that such lessons from the past must never be repeated. It was a privilege to welcome the Holocaust Memorial Trust today and enable this commemorative event, marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen”.