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Kindertransport survivor Harry Bibring dies at 93
He was active in Holocaust education until the end of his life, addressing schoolchildren just a day before his death
February 1, 2019 10:51
3 min read
He was active in Holocaust education until the end of his life, addressing schoolchildren just a day before his death
February 1, 2019 10:51Kindertransport survivor Harry Bibring has died at 93, having been involved in Holocaust Education right up until the end of life.
Born in Vienna in 1925, Mr Bibring and his sister were among the 10,000 children sent to Britain by their parents, after increasingly brutal Nazi attacks on Jews, including the destruction of the family’s business during Kristallnacht.
The plan was for his mother and father to follow when they could, but the outbreak of war prevented this. Mr Bibring’s father died of a heart attack in November 1940, while his mother was deported by the Nazis to the Sobibor death camp in 1942, where she was killed.
In his later years, Mr Bibring became a key educator on the Shoah, addressing school children around Britain about his experiences.
He received the British Empie Medal in 2018 for his services to Holocaust Education. Mr Bibring, who died on Thursday, gave his last speech to students just a day before his death.
First generation Holocaust survivor and Kindertransport child Harry Bibring BEM delivered a powerful & poignant talk as part of our #HolocaustMemorialDay Commemoration event yesterday.
— ArdsandNorthDown (@ANDborough) January 30, 2019
His message was clear; prejudice leads to hate & must always be challenged.#GoodRelations pic.twitter.com/uyDyJhR1Bs
Speaking to the JC less than two weeks ago, as he attended the funeral at Bushey for the remains of six unknown Holocaust victims, Mr Bibring described it as “the most moving day of all time".
He said: “It means to me that I have now buried my mother and my father, which I have never been able to do, 70 years late."
He also said he was “looking forward to seeing the Holocaust Memorial [and learning centre] built in Victoria Tower Gardens, in the shadow of the Mother of Parliaments.
“The learning centre is even more important to be near Parliament, where the people who go there can learn. I was surprised there are people around who say it is the wrong place – it is actually the right place.”
Mr Bibring was active up until the end of his life, attending Holocaust Memorial Day events last week, including a special event at the Treasury.
Harry Bibring told us of his journey on the Kindertransport to escape the horrors of the Holocaust with children as young as three. He spoke with humanity, honesty and humour. Honour to have him at Treasury - thanks to @HolocaustUK for organising. #unforgettable #HMD2019 pic.twitter.com/UEY8G4Dm68
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) January 23, 2019
World Jewish Relief, which helped arrange for the Kindertransport as the Central British Fund for German Jewry, described how everyone at the charity was “devastated to hear the news of Harry Bibring’s passing.
"Harry was a true mensch who commanded the admiration and respect of all who met him.
"The way that he told his story, informing and educating about both the Kindertransport and the Holocaust, will inspire thousands of children and adults to take on his legacy.
“Last year, we were privileged to have Harry talk to World Jewish Relief's Berlin to London cyclists, including his son Michael and grandson Lee, prior to them taking on the epic commemorative ride that emulated his journey. His story served as inspiration to many of the riders and kept them pedalling when the going got tough.
We are devastated to hear the news of Harry Bibring's passing. He was a true mensch, a great educator and an inspiration to thousands, including our Berlin2London riders who cycled the Kindertransport journey after hearing his story. Our statement: https://t.co/8B9X1v33bA pic.twitter.com/iuurlvLX2z
— World Jewish Relief (@WJRelief) February 1, 2019
“We will never forget the end of the ride, when Harry, well into his 90s, jumped onto a tandem bike pedalled by his son Michael, and rode triumphantly through the finish arch at London's Liverpool Street Station marking the end of the 600 mile journey.
"The delight on Harry’s face was a joy to behold and the memory of this moment will remain forever in our hearts.”
Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, said the organisation was “shocked and deeply saddened by Harry's sudden death".
She added: “Only last week, at an event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, he held a room full of civil servants in rapt attention as he shared his personal experiences of coming to the UK...
"His humour and humanity shone through as always. He will be greatly missed for his tireless work educating about the Holocaust. We wish long life to his family.’
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET) described how "in later years, he travelled the country, sharing his testimony with thousands of young people. He wanted them to learn from the past. He was unstoppable.
“Up until the very end, Harry determinedly shared his testimony with such energy and vigour, which was so typical of him.
“Harry was part of the Holocaust Educational Trust family and we will miss him terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. We will do all we can to ensure his story and legacy continues to be shared across the country.”
