The Light Dragoons recently hosted a remembrance ceremony, with The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, to commemorate 80 years since British forces liberated Bergen-Belsen camp on 15th April 1945.
The Light Dragoons stand paying their respects at the Bergen-Belsen Anniversary event.
Rabbi Livingstone gives a blessing at a special commemorative event at Catterick Garrison.
Holocaust survivors Mala Tribich MBE and Dr Alfred Garwood MBE light Holocaust candles.
Dr Alfred Garwood MBE gives a survivor talk to a military audience after the ceremony.
Mala Tribich MBE gives a survivor talk to a military audience after the ceremony.
Two Holocaust survivors, Dr Alfred Garwood MBE and Mala Tribich MBE, attended.
Before sharing their experiences of the Holocaust - which saw the systematic murder of six million Jewish men, women, and children - the two survivors took part in the 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 messages are now 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.
To end the event, soldiers heard first-hand recounts from Alfred and Mala, who openly shared their experiences of the Bergen-Belsen camp and the day they were liberated by the British forces.
Mala explained what she experienced after being separated from her family and transported to Bergen-Belsen, where thousands of people lost their lives.
She said: “When I arrived at Bergen-Belsen the first thing they did was take everything away from us.
“They undressed us, shaved our head, showered us, and gave us concentration camp dress.
“When we looked at one another we couldn’t recognise ourselves, we were like objects, you stopped feeling human, because of this people started dying.”
Mala also expressed her gratitude to the British Army for liberating the camp in 1945.
“I’ll never forget the kindness of the British Army on the 15th of April when they liberated us. You should be very proud of them.”
Lieutenant Colonel 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 Kings Royal Hussars, who having endured fierce fighting from landing on Gold Beach in Normandy, were one of the first units to witness and uncover 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.”
For a detailed account of the liberation of Belsen, read this article on the National Army Museum website.
