Leon Greenman; only Englishman sent to Auschwitz

Leon Greenman was prisoner number 98288 and was held at Auschwitz. (getty images/file 2004)

LONDON - Leon Greenman, the only Englishman sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp, died Friday, London's Jewish Museum said. He was 97.

Mr. Greenman was born in London in 1910 and was living in the Netherlands with his Dutch wife and young son when it was occupied by the Nazis, who sent the family to Auschwitz in 1943.

His wife, Esther, and 3-year-old son, Barney, died at Auschwitz, but Mr. Greenman was sent to the Buchenwald camp.

In April 1945, the US Third Army freed the survivors of Buchenwald.

Mr. Greenman dedicated his life to telling the public about the horrors of the six camps where he was held.

He published a memoir, "An Englishman in Auschwitz," and lectured well into old age.

In 1988, Mr. Greenman received the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II for his work fighting prejudice.

He never remarried and leaves no children.