'Hitler, you didn’t win, I won': Windermere Boy Harry Spiro dies aged 96

Tributes are being paid to much loved Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro who has died aged 96.

Born in Piotrków Trybunalski, Poland, in 1929, Harry was 10 years old when the Nazis invaded and his family were sent to Piotrków Trybunalski, the first Jewish ghetto established by the Nazis, where he was forced to work at the glass factory.

After the horrors of Buchenwald, Rehmsdorf and the death march to Theresienstadt, Harry was liberated in 1945 at the age of 15, the only member of his family to survive the Shoah.

Of the 700 children survivors brought to the UK, Spiro was one of the 300 (including girls) known as the Boys, brought to Windermere’s Calgarth Estate to rebuild their lives. Many of them, including the late Sir Ben Helfgott and Harry Olmer, went on to establish the 45 Aid Society.

Spiro went on to work for many years as a tailor before opening his own shop and dedicating himself to Holocaust education.

Ben Helfgott, Harry Olmer and Harry Spiro (Credit: Rick Bronks, Satureyes Photography)

Writing in tribute, The Lakes School in Windermere said: “Harry’s story is one of unimaginable loss and remarkable resilience. Harry came to Windermere and began rebuilding his life on the Calgarth Estate, where The Lakes School now stands. Here, after everything he had endured, he found safety, care and hope for the future.

“Through sharing his experiences, he ensured that young people understood not only the horrors of the Holocaust but also the importance of kindness, tolerance and standing against hatred.

(l to r) Sir Ben Helfgott, Jan Goldberger and Harry Spiro pictured at a lunch inside Holmehurst, the original Loughton hostel, now a privately owned residence owned by Wendy and Richard Higgins, who opened up their home to a group of 80 members of the ’45 Aid Society, including the 3 Loughton Boys and their families as well as other Boys and local dignitaries (credit: Melissa Page)

“At The Lakes School, we recognise the enormous impact survivors like Harry have had in keeping history alive for future generations. His courage in continuing to tell his story, despite the pain it carried, was an extraordinary act of humanity and service to others. We extend our deepest condolences to Harry’s family, friends and all who were touched by his life and legacy. Thank you, Harry.”

Maurice Helfgott, chair of World Jewish Relief and writing on behalf of the Helfgott family said: “We were so very sad to receive the news that Harry passed away and at the very same time so grateful for the life and love of a true legend. Harry’s kindness, loyalty, and calm humility was always wrapped in that cheeky smile and piercing blue eyes.

“Truly a mensch. One of the Boys. Born just one day before Ben Helfgott in 1929, they both shared the same Polish home town, Piotrkow and were brought to Windermere by World Jewish Relief on RAF planes having survived the Shoah in 1945. Ben and Harry enjoyed a very deep and cherished friendship.

“Harry was key to the establishment and enduring success of the 45 Aid Society UK Holocaust Survivors and always advocated for World Jewish Relief . His memory will be a blessing to his wonderful family and to all of us.”

(l to r) Sir Ben Helfgott, Jan Goldberger and Harry Spiro with their families outside the front of Holmehurst, showing the blue plaque that has been installed on the wall behind them to denote when 26 of the Boys lived there for over a year in 1946. (credit: Melissa Page)

Angie Cohen, chair of the 45 Aid Society, told Jewish News: “We were deeply saddened to receive the news that Harry Spiro has passed away, and at the very same time profoundly grateful for the life, love and example of a truly remarkable man.

“Harry was one of those rare people whose kindness, loyalty and quiet humility touched everyone fortunate enough to know him. Beneath his piercing blue eyes and that unmistakable cheeky smile was a man of enormous warmth, wisdom and compassion. A true mensch in every sense of the word.”

After enduring “the unimaginable horrors of the Shoah” before arriving in Britain in 1945, “from those beginnings grew not only a life rebuilt with dignity and courage, but a legacy that would help shape generations. Harry was one of the key founders and guiding forces behind the 45 Aid Society. His wisdom, steadiness and devotion were central to the Society’s enduring success and to the extraordinary family it became.

“To so many of us, Harry was far more than a survivor or community leader. He was an uncle, a mentor, a reassuring presence and a gentleman in every possible way. He loved the 45 Aid Society family deeply, and that love was returned wholeheartedly. In Harry, we have lost one of the true pillars of our community.

“His friendship with many of the Boys was one of the great joys and constants of his life. The bonds forged through shared suffering, survival and rebuilding were unbreakable, and Harry treasured those friendships deeply.

“Above all, Harry’s greatest pride and deepest joy was his beloved wife Pauline, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The love between them was unmistakable to anyone who spent time with the family. Together, Harry and Pauline built a family filled with warmth, strength, dignity and love — a family who are a true credit to them both and a living legacy of everything they stood for.

“And now Harry joins so many beloved friends from the Boys — Balsam, Krulik, Fox, Ziggy and Kushy — perhaps gathering once more around a poker table in the sky, with laughter, stories and companionship continuing eternally.

“Harry’s memory will forever be a blessing to his wonderful family, to the Boys, to the 45 Aid Society, and to all whose lives he enriched simply by being in them.

“May we honour him by carrying forward the humanity, decency and quiet strength that defined his life so beautifully. With love and deepest respect, His 45 Aid Society family.”

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “Despite all that he endured, you could not have met a more gentle person full of warmth and kindness. Softly spoken and with deep humility, Harry had a remarkable ability to command the room so that even the most disruptive students were drawn to silence as he spoke.

“I will never forget hearing Harry speak at our Ambassador Conference in 2017. As he shared his testimony, the room sat in complete silence hanging on his every word. When Harry looked out at the audience and said, “Now that I have my family, I can say, Hitler, you didn’t win, I won,” the room erupted into applause.

Harry Spiro speaking to Judge Rinder in front of students during the webcast event (Credit: HET)

“His family was his victory over the Nazis and their collaborators. He was utterly devoted to his wife Pauline, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and often spoke about how revenge was not the answer, but that family and hard work were.

“Harry always had a sparkle in his eye, the most beautiful smile and an extraordinary warmth about him. Hearing him speak about his experiences was always heartbreaking because when he spoke, you could see his mind return to that small boy facing the very worst of humanity.

Rob Rinder and Harry Spiro in front of students during the Live Webcast to an estimated 50,000

“Harry left a lasting impression on everyone he met – from students and teachers to Members of Parliament and even Premier League football stars. He truly was one of the kindest people I will ever meet, and I will miss him deeply.

“May his memory be a blessing.”