Plaque unveiled to school headmaster who survived concentration camp

Wednesday, 7 May 2025 09:28

Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd unveils the plaque to Harold Le Druillenec. Credit: @StJohnJersey

A former Jersey headmaster, who was the only British survivor of a German concentration camp, has been commemorated at St John's School.

Harold Le Druillenec was imprisoned for helping an escaped Russian forced labourer and detained at Bergen-Belsen. He and 17 members of his family were arrested for helping his sister Louise Gould to shelter and escaped Russian offcer.

After the war, Le Druillenec gave testimony at the Belsen trials, recounting the harrowing conditions he had endured.

He was later recognised as a hero of the holocaust for his actions, and is considered one of Jersey's most remarkable wartime figures.

The Lieutenant Governor has unveiled a plaque honouring him at the school he went on to lead for more than two decades.

Harold Le Druillenec was appointed headmaster in 1949 and is credited with guiding generations of pupils until his retirement in 1971.

Pupils, parish officials and members of the local community gathered to witness the unveiling of the plaque, which will be displayed on the front of the historic 1901 school building.

"The Parish of St John is proud to have commemorated 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."