Hampton School pay tribute to those who have died in holocausts

Holocaust Memorial Day officially takes place on Saturday January 27 to remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, which is the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz - the Nazi’s largest death camp.

It also pays tribute to the millions of people killed in Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.

Andrew Lawrence, who organised the event and is head of history at Hampton School, said: “Whilst many of us will have learned something about the Holocaust from a school textbook, it is nothing in comparison to hearing about these horrific events from someone who lived through them.”

The community event included a talk from Bea Green, a Holocaust survivor who lives in the borough, about her life and experiences.

Mrs Green left Munich for the UK by train in 1939, as part of the Kindertransport which saw almost 10,000 children brought from Germany and Austria to the UK.

Bea now lives in South West London with her husband and children.

Mr Lawrence added: “It was a privilege to hear Mrs Green speak at our Holocaust Memorial Day event and also heartening to see so many young people from across our borough attending to listen to and learn from Mrs Green’s story.“

Mrs Green, along with Mayor of Richmond upon Thames, Councillor Lisa Blakemore, then viewed posters about the Holocaust produced by the students.

The posters, which display work done by students about Mrs Green’s story, will now be placed in libraries across the borough along with a hollowed-out book where people can leave messages and respond to what they have seen.

Cllr Blakemore said: “It was inspiring to hear Mrs Green speak about her experiences and I’m sure the students in attendance would have gained a lot of knowledge from her talk.

“Events like these remind us of the lessons of history and having someone give a first-hand account is not only hugely emotional but an important part of the children’s learning.”