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Bride of Belsen Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel dies aged 95 | Bride of Belsen Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel dies aged 95 |
(3 days later) | |
A Holocaust survivor who lived through four concentration camps and nursed Anne Frank has died aged 95. | |
Gena Turgel became known as the Bride of Belsen after marrying one of the soldiers who liberated her camp. | Gena Turgel became known as the Bride of Belsen after marrying one of the soldiers who liberated her camp. |
Mrs Turgel, who was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1923, lost most of her family after the 1939 German invasion. | Mrs Turgel, who was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1923, lost most of her family after the 1939 German invasion. |
The Holocaust Educational Trust said she "tirelessly" shared her story to ensure the "horrors of the holocaust are never forgotten". | |
Mrs Turgel, the youngest of nine children, was 16 when the Nazis invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, which triggered World War Two. | Mrs Turgel, the youngest of nine children, was 16 when the Nazis invaded Poland on 1 September 1939, which triggered World War Two. |
She was moved into Krakow's ghetto with her mother and four siblings. | She was moved into Krakow's ghetto with her mother and four siblings. |
One brother was shot by the SS, a second fled and was never seen again. | One brother was shot by the SS, a second fled and was never seen again. |
She and her surviving family were eventually sent to Plaszow labour camp on the edge of Krakow before being made to walk to Auschwitz-Birkenau in the winter of 1944. | She and her surviving family were eventually sent to Plaszow labour camp on the edge of Krakow before being made to walk to Auschwitz-Birkenau in the winter of 1944. |
In January 1945, Mrs Turgel and her mother spent four weeks on a "death march" to another concentration camp, Buchenwald, before being taken by cattle train to Bergen-Belsen. | In January 1945, Mrs Turgel and her mother spent four weeks on a "death march" to another concentration camp, Buchenwald, before being taken by cattle train to Bergen-Belsen. |
Mrs Turgel worked in the hospital there which is where she nursed Anne Frank, whose diaries subsequently found international fame, as the 15-year-old was dying from typhus. | Mrs Turgel worked in the hospital there which is where she nursed Anne Frank, whose diaries subsequently found international fame, as the 15-year-old was dying from typhus. |
In an interview with the BBC, Mrs Turgel said: "I washed her face, gave her water to drink and I can still see that face, her hair and how she looked." | In an interview with the BBC, Mrs Turgel said: "I washed her face, gave her water to drink and I can still see that face, her hair and how she looked." |
On 15 April 1945, the British army liberated Bergen-Belsen. | On 15 April 1945, the British army liberated Bergen-Belsen. |
Among the liberators was Norman Turgel, who married Mrs Turgel six months after finding her. | Among the liberators was Norman Turgel, who married Mrs Turgel six months after finding her. |
Her wedding dress, which was made from a British Army parachute, is now on display at London's Imperial War Museum. | Her wedding dress, which was made from a British Army parachute, is now on display at London's Imperial War Museum. |
In 1987, Mrs Turgel published her story in a book titled I light a candle. | In 1987, Mrs Turgel published her story in a book titled I light a candle. |
'Shining light' | 'Shining light' |
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "The Gena Turgel we knew was the most beautiful, elegant and poised lady. | Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: "The Gena Turgel we knew was the most beautiful, elegant and poised lady. |
"Her strength, determination and resilience were unwavering, her powerful and wise words an inspiration." | "Her strength, determination and resilience were unwavering, her powerful and wise words an inspiration." |
Ms Pollock said Mrs Turgel "dedicated her life" to sharing her story which was "difficult to hear and difficult for her to tell". | Ms Pollock said Mrs Turgel "dedicated her life" to sharing her story which was "difficult to hear and difficult for her to tell". |
She said: "A shining light has gone out today and will never be replaced." | She said: "A shining light has gone out today and will never be replaced." |
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