The Holocaust Educational Trust is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro BEM.
Despite all that he endured, you could not have met a more gentle person full of warmth and kindness. Softly spoken and with deep humility, Harry had a remarkable ability to command the room so that even the most disruptive students were drawn to silence as he spoke.
After the Nazi invasion of Poland, Harry and his family were forced into the Piotrków Trybunalski ghetto, the first ghetto established by the Nazis. Separated from his family during the liquidation of the ghetto, Harry survived forced labour camps, Buchenwald concentration camp and a death march to Terezín, where he was liberated at the age of 15. He later came to the UK as one of ‘The Boys’, the child Holocaust survivors given refuge in Windermere in the Lake District after the war. Harry rebuilt his life in Britain, marrying Pauline, running his own business and in later years dedicating himself to sharing his testimony with tens of thousands of students across the UK.
I will never forget hearing Harry speak at our Ambassador Conference in 2017. As he shared his testimony, the room sat in complete silence hanging on his every word. When Harry looked out at the audience and said, “Now that I have my family, I can say, Hitler, you didn’t win, I won,” the room erupted into applause. His family was his victory over the Nazis and their collaborators. He was utterly devoted to his wife Pauline, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and often spoke about how revenge was not the answer, but that family and hard work were.
Harry always had a sparkle in his eye, the most beautiful smile and an extraordinary warmth about him. Hearing him speak about his experiences was always heartbreaking because when he spoke, you could see his mind return to that small boy facing the very worst of humanity. Harry left a lasting impression on everyone he met – from students and teachers to Members of Parliament and even Premier League football stars. He truly was one of the kindest people I will ever meet, and I will miss him deeply.
May his memory be a blessing.