American Field Service (AFS)

Alan Willoughby, AFS

Alan served in WWII as an ambulance driver for the British army all across Europe by way of the American Field Service. He was there for the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp. He loved his country and was proud of everything he could do to support it.

Liberation of Bergen Belsen
He met the love of his life, Owena Willoughby, in 1966 and married her shortly thereafter. He was the father to three sons (Mark, Kurt and Graham) alongside Owena Willoughby. They loved each other dearly and had a marvelous 46 years together. It wasn’t enough. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in English he worked as everything from a gaffer to a weatherman in the early days of TV ultimately settling into his career as the Public Information Officer for the State of Wisconsin. His love for history, particularly the Civil War and WWII were equalled by none. Once retired, he was finally able to pursue another of his passions as teacher and tutor working with the adults and children of the Dysart Community center and school district.

88, passed away peacefully on January 11th, 2013. Eldest of 3, he had a perfect story book childhood in the then small town of Whitefish Bay, WI. Vacant lots and play kept him delighted all the way into his adult years.

He was a wonderful husband, a great father and a good friend. He was a dear dear man and we will miss him.

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This archive has been established after my own relative, Reg Price, took part in the liberation and subsequent humanitarian effort of Bergen Belsen in April 1945. Reg produced this famous sign at Belsen. As part of the 113th DLI, Reg and his comrades were at Belsen for 5 weeks and left when the last hut was empty and ceremonially burnt down. This archive compiles all available resources to build a lasting tribute to all the men and women who helped - any unit, any nationality. 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.ukThank you Nick Price CreativesFacebookTwitter

Bergen Belsen Concentration Camp