07-05-2025
Jersey plaque honours concentration camp survivor
Plaque honours concentration camp survivor
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Chris Stone
BBC News, Jersey
Lisa Young
BBC News
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St John's School
Harold Le Druillenec was found at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp when it was liberated towards the end of World War Two
A heritage plaque commemorating a headmaster who was the only British survivor of a German concentration camp has been unveiled in Jersey.
Dedicated to Harold Le Druillenec, the plaque was revealed by Lieutenant-Governor Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd in a special ceremony at St John's School on Tuesday.
Mr Le Druillenec was found at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after it was liberated towards the end of World War Two.
He was subsequently made headmaster of St John's School in 1949, which he led until his retirement in 1971.
St John's School
The Jersey Heritage plaque commends Mr Le Druillenec's "actions and testimony"
Before he was imprisoned at Bergen-Belsen, Mr Le Druillenec had previously been held prisoner in multiple camps across Europe after he and 17 members of his family were arrested for helping his sister, Louisa Gould, to shelter an escaped Russian officer.
Following the war, Mr Le Druillenec gave testimony at the Belsen trials, offering harrowing evidence of the conditions he had survived.
In December 1945, he recorded an interview about his experiences for the BBC, which was broadcast on Christmas Day as part of the introduction to the King's speech.
A spokesperson for St John Parish Hall said the parish was proud to celebrate Mr Le Druillenec's "enduring legacy, not only as a survivor and witness to history, but as a much-respected educator who shaped generations of young islanders".
Mr Le Druillenec's grandchildren travelled from Australia for the unveiling of the plaque
Mr Le Druillenec's grandchildren Peter and Linda came from Australia for the occasion and said they were very moved by the fond memories people shared of their grandfather.
Mr Le Druillenec said: "In this period now we're moving from living memory – people having some recollection of what has gone on – to this period where we won't have that going forward.
"So it's important to have a way of transitioning from that."
Former pupil Graeme Rondel said it had been a "privilege" to attend the school from which he had secured a scholarship for Victoria College.
'Moved me to tears'
He said: "That was the start of many things to come so I have a lot to thank this man for."
The current head teacher, James Hazley, said it was an honour to take on Mr Le Druillenec's former role.
He said: "What an inspirational man with what an incredible history of what he experienced and what he lived through. So you can only aspire to live up to those things."
St John Constable Andy Jehan said: His story moved me to tears at times and I just felt it was vital that we remembered him."
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