The town’s MP has paid tribute to a “Keighley Hero’ ahead of VE day on 8th May.
Local MP Robbie Moore met with resident Philip Jackson at his home in Keighley, who celebrated his 100th birthday earlier this year.
Born in Keighley, Mr Jackson served in the Royal Army Service Corps during the Second World War.
80 years ago on 15 April 1945, British and Canadian troops of the 11th Armoured Division liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after the Nazi's agreed to surrender it.
Mr Jackson was on of the first to enter the camp.
Mr Jackson also spoke to the local MP about his experiences of Keighley over the years and his extensive research into Keighley history, documenting the births, deaths and marriages of most of the Catholic churches in Keighley – information that has now been curated in numerous books at Keighley’s reference gallery.
Commenting on the meeting, Robbie Moore MP said:
“80 years ago on 15th April, British forces entered the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, uncovering hell on earth and the unimaginable horrors of the holocaust. One of the first men to enter the camp was Keighley's own Philip Jackson, who had joined the Royal Army Service Corps during the Second World War.
It was an honour to pay a visit Mr Jackson at his home in Keighley, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. To meet Philip and listen to his memories first-hand was incredibly humbling.
As we enter the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I want to thank Philip and for all the work and the life he has lived – and pay tribute to all the survivors and British veterans like Philip for putting the truth of the Holocaust on record for eternity.
Never again must mean never again.
Thank you, Philip — a true gentleman, and a credit to Keighley.”
