Holocaust survivor Iby Knill: 'We can all make the world a better place'
A woman who survived the horrors of Auschwitz has been given an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Huddersfield.
Remarkable Iby Knill, now 93, provided a heartwarming speech at her degree ceremony, where she urged people to be more accepting of others.
The degree was awarded to her in recognition of her contribution to memorialisation of the Holocaust.
Due to illness, she was unable to attend the ceremony but granddaughter Julia Kinch received the accolade on her behalf and read the speech she had prepared.
Iby said: “I consider this award not just a personal honour, but an honour to all the others who stand as witnesses to how far human cruelty can go.
She added: “Each of us has the potential to make the world a better place. There are two things we must remember: Under the skin we are all the same and every one of you can make a difference.
“Difference is valuable, and makes us all interesting. It enriches life.”
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Iby, who was imprisoned in Auschwitz, escaped during a forced march to Bergen Belsen in when the appearance of US tanks caused Nazi guards to flee.
Iby Knill: Leeds Holocaust survivor dies aged 98
Meanwhile, Karen Pollock, chief executive, of the Holocaust Educational Trust described Mrs Knill as "formidable".
"An active member of the Resistance movement and a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Iby had a unique story to share," she said.
"She was passionate about sharing her testimony and ensuring the next generation learnt about the horrors of the Holocaust.
"Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time."
Fabian Hamilton, who was Mrs Knill's MP and knew her well, added: "What a stalwart, a completely remarkable women.
"She didn't start talking about her wartime experiences till about 20 years ago but often spoke of how she had stuck together with her friends as had there been any sense of being on your own that person would be picked off.
"You do think people like Iby will go on for ever, she was incredible, a living witness and we should never forget."
The Women of &#;Through Our Eyes&#;
Our exhibition ‘Through Our Eyes’ features the stories of nine extraordinary women who survived the Holocaust or came to the UK as Holocaust child refugees.
Iby Knill BEM
Iby grew up in Bratislava, then in Czechoslovakia, where she lived a cultured life, spoke multiple languages and flourished at school. After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia the Jewish population were forced to wear yellow stars which Iby hated. In she fled over the border into Hungary after her mother heard a rumour that young Jewish girls were being rounded up to serve as prostitutes for the German army.
In she was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and was selected for forced labour. After six weeks Iby was transferred to another camp and in she was sent on forced march into Germany. The end of the war was approaching and the Nazis were emptying concentration camps of prisoners in an attempt to hide evidence of their crimes. Iby was liberated by the US Army whilst on the march.
Iby worked for the British Army as an interpreter. While in this job she met her husband Bert and came with him to the UK in Iby has had many successful careers and is the au
The woman with nine lives
Iby Knill is a simply remarkable woman. An Auschwitz holocaust survivor originally from Bratislava, she married a British army officer and set out to make a new life in England, arriving in Cornwall in to set up home. Dealing with the problems of integration as an immigrant in post-war Britain, raising a family and making careers in civil defence, education, international textile design and manufacture and as linguist, amongst others, she also gained an MA at the age of Passionate about music and art, the loss of her beloved Bert prompted her to return to writing but always hitting a stumbling block, 60 years of suppressed memories. Eventually, despite several breakdowns, she unlocked that part of her life and became determined to tell of her experiences to future generations. Even now, she is in constant demand to talk to various groups, schools and within the media. This eagerly-awaited 'The woman with nine lives' picks up where her best-selling first book 'The woman without a number' ends, evoking changing times through a life that has constantly embraced challenge and opportunity. Included in it is the growing realisation that the past cannot be av
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