A Holocaust survivor who escaped to Britain as a teenager has been sharing his tragic experiences with students in Aldridge.

Harry Bibring, 88, relived his harrowing life story at Aldridge School as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust. Students in Year 9 heard how Harry escaped Nazi-occupied Vienna on a Kindertransport train after his father’s menswear business was destroyed during Kristallnacht – the series of co-ordinated attacks against Jews throughout Nazi Germany and Austria. His father later died of a heart attack, after being robbed while buying travel tickets, and his mother was deported to the Sobibor death camp in Poland in 1942.

Harry’s testimony to pupils, who are the same age as he was when he was forced to leave his family, was followed by a question and answer session to help students better understand the nature of the Holocaust.

David Mountney, headteacher, said; “Harry’s heartbreaking story was a powerful reminder to students about the personal horrors experienced during this terrible time in recent history. I hope Harry’s testimony will make students think about the lessons which need to be learned and remembered from the Holocaust. It was a privilege to have Harry visit our school.”

The visit was part of the Holocaust Educational Trust’s all year round Outreach Programme, which is available to schools across the UK.