The Liberation of Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp
Welcome this new archive relating and dedicated to the men and women service personnel and the part they played at the Liberation and subsequent Humanitarian Effort of the Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp in 1945: The Liberation of Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp.
UPDATE:
Thank you to everyone who submitted a name/details to coincide with the anniversary of the liberation of Bergen Belsen – we’ll go through all your submissions, moderate and add them on. If you have a photo or any more details please email us. Thank you.
We are now inviting any relatives of service personnel who may have been at the camp to get in touch. Any regiment, service, nationality, volunteer or any snippet of information – we would like to hear from you. We do not believe there are any records of the diverse group of men and women, many completely untrained, who were involved with the camp, after it’s liberation.
Those That Served
There are currently 132 names in this directory beginning with the letter M.
MacAuslan, Alan David Rowan (Medical Student)
St Thomas’ Hospital, medical student Alan MacAuslan joined a volunteer party of aid relief comprising of medical students from London’s teaching hospitals.
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMacdonald, Robert (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMacLellan, Keith W (Lieutenant) 1SAS
A Canadian from Aylmer, Quebec.
The first Canadian to enter the camp.
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMacRitchie, Angus (113 LAA)
530/55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 14/11/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMagee, Charles (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 29/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMakinson, Louis Andrew
2/5 DLI (TA) 4453730, survived the war and re-enlisted into the Royal Signals almost immediately after de-mob, serving in the Far East and Germany , he completed his service in 1957 , I remember living in Essen, Luneburg and Oldenburg, his length of service earned him a LSGC Medal, sadly he passed away before his 65th birthday.
(Thank you - if you have any more details or a period photo please email liberator@belsen.co.uk)
Submitted by: Richard MakinsonMalcolm, Sydney (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 31/08/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMallon, John Sgt. Major (58th Light A.A Regt)
Sgt. Major
58th Light A.A Regt.
Men of which had been detailed for guard duty at Belsen after its liberation. A Liverpool man. Willow Place, Fair-street.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMarcovitch, Jack
Canadian Regt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mXVpVwx59g
Submitted by: Canadian Regt.Markey, Lesli
My uncle Lesli Markey was with the first into Belsen he was never the same man when he came back. He spoke to my mother about it once and said they had walked through the gates of hell . And never spoke of it again .
Submitted by: Lesley HillMarsh, George Henry (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 30/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMARSH, WALTER (KILLED TRAINING ACCIDENT)
4453856 Sergeant Walter Marsh
Death: Dec. 9, 1943 (Training Accident)
4453856 Sergeant Walter Marsh
368 Bty., 113 (2/5th Bn. The Durham Light Infantry) Lt. A.A. Regt. Royal Artillery
Died age 27
Son of Walter and Charlotte Marsh, of West Hartlepool; husband of Eliza Marsh, of West Hartlepool.
Burial: Stranton Grange Cemetery
Hartlepool County Durham, England
Plot: 5. Div. B. Uncons. Grave 817.
Submitted by: 113th DLI ArchiveMarshall, John Thomas (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMarshall, William (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMarshall, Wm Dixon (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 10/05/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMartin, Edward (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMason, Mark (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMather, Stanley (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (2/5 Durham Lt Infantry) Enlistment Date: 25/05/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMather, William H. Lt. Col. (113 LAA)
36401
LIEUTENANT COLONEL
Awarded CHEVALIER OF THE ORDER OF LEOPOLD WITH PALM AND CROIX DE GUERRE 1940 WITH PALM
1907-1983 (76 aged) OBE
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMatthew, R. A (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 06/06/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMatthews, Christopher (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA)
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcColl, Hugh (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 03/03/1938
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcComlrie Thom, Robert Mc (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 25/05/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcConnell, Samuel (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcCorkindale, Campbell Alexander Lt. Col. (CCS)
(b Ardbeg, Islay 1901; q Glasgow 1925; DSO, OBE), d 13 June 1998. Called up on 1 September 1939, he served with distinction throughout the war reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel. From 1941 he was commanding officer of 174 Field Ambulance, 51st Highland Division, in north Africa, Sicily, and Normandy and later of a casualty clearing station. He was awarded the DSO and OBE and mentioned in dispatches twice. His unit was one of the first to enter Belsen concentration camp at its liberation. In 1956, much to his astonishment, he was promoted to colonel and recalled to duty as commanding officer of a field general hospital in reserve for Suez.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMcdonald, George (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 16/01/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcFarlane, Jean Miss
British Red Cross Civilian Relief Team
Part of the first group of 6 teams. x5 British Red Cross and Order of St Johns (now St Johns Ambulance) and x1 Friends Relief Service. Arriving night of 21st April, starting 22nd April.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMcghee, Arthur (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcGhee, John (RAMC)
Army No: 7382606
Rank: Private
Service Trade: Nursing Orderly
Unit: 67th British Military Hospital RAMC
Call up Date: 7th July 1940
Dispersal Unit 16th May 1946
Submitted by: Peter McGheeMcGrath, Pamela
British Red Cross Relief Team
“In the latter year of the war, I was in Germany with the Red Cross Mobile Relief Tam. We were asked by the Army to go to this newly found labour camp, to run it for the surviving inmates. Typhus was rampant and the Belsen Camp had been cleaned and cleared by the Army, now moving on.” Ref. Living in Cirencester. Wilts & Gloucs Standard. 9th April 2017
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMchugh, Thomas (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcIver (no first name submitted)
Doctor, RAMC (Father)
(Harry please email us with a first name)
Submitted by: Harry McIverMcLennan, Jim
113th Light Anti Aircraft The Royal Artillery.
369 Battery.
Regimental number 11425219
Submitted by: 113th DLI ArchiveMcMurchie, Duncan (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 14/11/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMcQullin, Terence Charles (RAMC)
British NCO served with Royal Army Medical Corps at Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMcRitchie, Charles (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 14/02/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMear, Clifford (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMelvin, William Andrew (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 16/09/1950
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMercer, Frederick Charles (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 30/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMerrick, Robert Wm (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMesser, Arthur (113th LAA)
Lance Bombardier. 1st Class No 1658027.
My grandfather died almost 24 years ago, he never really spoke too much about his war time service however, I do know he was in the 113th LAA and I know most of the route he took from D-Day by reading around general histories and some personal accounts.
Submitted by: Andy FawcettMesser, Arthur Rosswyn (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMetcalf, George Ernest (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (Durham LI) Enlistment Date: 15/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMiddlemass, William (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (Durham LI) Enlistment Date: 07/03/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMiles, W.H. (Major) 224 MGD
224 Military Government Detachment
Arrived 2pm on 17th April
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMiller, Frederick Horace (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 30/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMills, Agnes (Peggy) Red Cross
Red Cross attached to the VAD. Voluntary Aid Detachment.
1920–2004
Birth ABT. 1920
Death 21 AUG 2004 • Largs, North Ayrshire, Scotland
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMilner, Eugene Joseph (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 04/07/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMilner, George
Grandad George Milner, 1908-1977. Royal Artillery 21st Army Group. 1939-1945. His war ended at Luneburg heath, may 1945, never spoke about what he heard and saw at Belsen.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMilnes, Arnold (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 29/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMilstein, Aubrey (Royal Enginners)
"We got here three weeks after the liberation and there were still bodies littered everywhere. It took six months to bury them all"
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMilton, Donald (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 13/04/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMinchin, Robert Jobes (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 04/01/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMincin, James (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (Durham LI) Enlistment Date: 02/03/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMitchell, Joseph (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMoakes, Geoffrey (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 29/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMolyneaux James Henry (later Lord)
Corporal Jim Molyneaux, RAF. A nine-man specialist group of commandos to reconnoitre for airfield sites.
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMoody, George
British Army
16th Air Formation Royal Signals Regiment.
D Day veteran too. Never spoke about this till recently but traumatised. He was 21.
Submitted by: Pat BielbyMoore, Alan (Lieutenant)
Australian official war artist, VX93880 Lieutenant (Lt) Alan Moore Lt Moore was briefly attached to the Welsh Guards during his war time service with the Australian Army. Whilst at Belsen, Lt Moore made several paintings, sketches and drawings as a record of Nazi atrocities committed against the inmates.
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMoore, James (113 LAA)
44/55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA)
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMoore, Norman Batey (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 14/11/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMoreham, Frank (Gnr)
113th Durham Light Infantry RA
368 Battery
Mentioned in Despatches c April 1945
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Submitted by: 113th DLI ArchiveMoren, Archibald George
Born June 3, 1924 to a family of four that shared a one-room flat in a London tenement, Moren's service, whether to his country, his friends, or his customers, took him much farther.
The tumultuous years of World War II set much of life's stage for Moren, who as teenager did night duty as a firewatcher, looking out for enemy bombing raids, atop the roofs of London. During the day, he served as an apprentice to his uncle, who was the maitre d' at the posh Mayfair Hotel.
At 18, he was conscripted by the British Territorial Army, trained as a tailgunner for the Royal Armored Corps and sent off to fight the Nazis.
The next years brought adventure and triumph for Moren. He landed on the beaches of Normandy, north of American troops, on D-Day, and later was among the first Allied forces to enter the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen in Germany.
After the Allies' victory, Army officials decided Moren's restaurant experience made him well suited to become a cook for the occupying forces in Germany.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMorgan, A W (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (Durham LI) Enlistment Date: 04/05/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorgan, Frank (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 19/04/1938
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorrell, Reginald Stanley (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorris, Arthur (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 15/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorris, George
George Morris, Royal Armoured Corps, was from Bradford, West Yorkshire. He arrived at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp 13 days after it had been liberated.
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Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMorris, Ian Benson (Lt Col)
RAMC
Mobile Laboratory.
Gave evidence at the Belsen Trial
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMorris, John (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 30/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorris, John (113)
Gunner John Morris.
Despatch rider attached to 113th. There were 70 despatch riders
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Submitted by: Paul WilsonMorris, Robert William
1913–1992
I'm doing research of my father-in-law Robert William Morris who I never knew. Robert was born in 1913 and was much older by 23yrd than his 2nd wife my mother-in-law. We don't know much about his time in the army during WW2 has like many he never spoke about it to his family. We thought he was in the tank regiment 39th brigade from badges we have found in an old suitcase. But the mother-in-law told us he was in the intelligence corps. The only thing he said to her was he had at some point met Eva Braun who he described has an evil woman and he was one of the first into Bergen Belsen which he said was an awful experience. Other than that we don't know much about that time. He could speak fluent German, French and Romansh which could explain why he was picked. After the war and following the death of his 1st wife in 1948 he went to Switzerland as a tour guide where many years later he met my mother-in-law who also worked as a guide. Would love to find out more info for my wife if you could point me in the right direction.
Submitted by: Dave EdwardsMorrison, Michael C. (Padre)
Photo
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Father Michael Morrison (October 1908, Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland, U.K. - April 1973, Dublin, Republic of Ireland was an Irish Jesuit priest. Educated at Sexton St. Christian Brothers, and at the Jesuit Mungret College, Limerick, he trained as a Jesuit Priest in St Stanislaus College, Tullabeg, Co. Offaly from 1925, and was ordained on July 31, 1939.
Arrived on 17th April with the 32nd Casualty Clearing Station (a mini field hospital),
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMorton, (Lt)
113th Durham Light Infantry RA
370 Battery
Mentioned in Despataches c April 1945
Submitted by: 113th DLI ArchiveMorton, Ernest William (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 29/07/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorton, Fred (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (Durham LI) Enlistment Date: 16/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMorton, W. G (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA Enlistment Date: 25/04/1939
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMottershead, Edward
Ww2 Belsen was involved in army whichi went in after it was liberated
Submitted by: Joanna CarterMotz, Arnold (AFS)
May 18, 1915 - August 15 3013
Motz was the pastor of Woodland Park Chapel in Portland for 58 years.
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMulley, James Albert (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 20/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMurphy, E J (Lieut)
Offered services to D Platoon, 567 RASC, American Field Service
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMurphy, Harold (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 30/09/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveMurray, John
My uncle John Murray drove a bulldozer burying all those people
Submitted by: Harry StanleyMurray, Marion (Sister)
My aunt, Sister Marion Murray from Dornoch in the county of Sutherland who served on hospital ships.
https://www.belsen.co.uk/sister-marion-murray/
Submitted by: Chris MurrayMurray, N.J. Capt 658 Squadron AOP
https://www.belsen.co.uk/658-air-observation-post-squadron/
Submitted by: Belsen ArchiveMustard, John
75 Anti-tank regiment, Royal Artillery
(Please send us some details via email!)
Submitted by: John Mustard (jnr)Mycock, Alfred (113 LAA)
55 Searchlight Regt RA: 113th LAA (TA) Enlistment Date: 18/04/1940
Submitted by: 113th DLI Archive/Belsen ArchiveSubmit a name
Latest Entries
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Elizabeth Mary Julia Pirie, known to her family as Elizabeth but later as Julia was born at Harbury, Warwickshire July Read more
Something that haunted my late Father very much near his life’s end in 2013. Stanley Cruse said very little throughout Read more
Shortly after liberation, a contingent of around seventy* American Field Service (AFS) ambulance drivers from C and D Platoons Read more
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Dr Alexander Michie, from Durris on Deeside, was the first British medical officer to enter the infamous camp in April Read more
Motherwell and Wishaw ‘s MP had her own thoughts as she signed a book of commemoration for Holocaust Memorial Day. Read more
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This site will progress and I’d encourage anyone with any info to get in touch. My granddad, Reg Price served with the 113th Durham Light Infantry*, as part of 369 Battery. As a signwriter, he produced this sign…
And this was kept in the family for years – so for the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Belsen in 2020, subsequent VE Day and VJ Day, I thought it’s about time I’d try to find out more about Reg – his comrades (many of which are names, simply written on the back of photos), what they did together and for a way to remember them all, properly.
To coinicide with the anniversary, I was able to be filmed both on national and local BBC TV to tell Reg’s Story.
Whilst this was totally out of my comfort zone and I dreaded every moment – I decided I needed to do something to start this all off. BBC Midlands Today aired 7th May and a VE Day Antiques Roadshow Special aired Sunday 10th May.
Read here about The Heroes of Belsen.
The main photo, shown here was coloured for the 75th Anniversary and we’ll tell you all about it shortly – and what happened next!
*Just 113th Durham Light Infantry? No we are interested in all Service and Medical personnel who took part during the humanitarian effort at Belsen Concentration Camp. Their roles and names are largely forgotten, as many were too horrified to ever speak of what they had to do, so this archive seeks to form a tribute to ALL those that were there, to find out more and to remember them.
If you have a relative, or any info, on the relief effort at Belsen, we’d love you to please get in touch. Email us: liberator@belsen.co.uk – Thank you
***
The Liberation of Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp
Any 113th Durham Light Infantry friends or family are encouraged to get in touch via 113th@belsen.co.uk
** In 1938 the old 5th Battalion DLI changed its role to Searchlights and then in 1940 to Anti-Aircraft. This 113th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment went to Normandy in June 1944 and joined the advance into Germany in early 1945.
Official designation – Brigade: 100 AA • Division: 30 Corps. • Unit: 113 LAA Regt. RA (DLI) TA.
The Liberation of Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp
Names of British soldiers who liberated Belsen
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