Taking on board the theme of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day which is ‘One Day’, it will pay tribute to Ian Forsyth MBE, who as a young soldier saw at first hand the horrors of the Belsen concentration camp – one day that changed his life forever.

Ian, who passed away at the age of 97 just before the New Year, was a dedicated campaigner against genocide and worked with the Holocaust Memorial Trust for many years. Three short films of him reflecting on his experiences will be able to view at the display. One of them is available to view on the South Lanarkshire Council YouTube channel.

Ian was an active member of Legion Scotland and was awarded the MBE for his services. He was also recognised on last year’s Holocaust Memorial Day as A Point of Light, a recognition by the UK Government of people who make changes in their community. Ian was also the president of the Hamilton branch of The Royal British Legion Scotland and worked closely with Poppy Scotland. 

This display, which will run until the end of April, looks at the work of The Holocaust Memorial Trust and is also a fitting tribute to Ian’s life and work, with film, interviews and a portrait by local artist Duncan Brown. There will be a memories book so that people who knew Ian can record their thoughts.

Members of Ian’s family were invited along to view the display and see for the first time the portrait of Ian.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, Councillor Peter Craig, said: “We must never forget the horrors and tragedies that so many people have suffered throughout the world because of genocide.

“Holocaust Memorial Day has a hugely significant role in allowing us to reflect on the mindless atrocities that have been committed.

“No-one was more vocal in making sure the voices of those who suffered were heard than Ian Forsyth, and I hope his family appreciate the tribute we have on display in Low Parks Museum to acknowledge his life-long campaigning against genocide.”

Holocaust Memorial Day is a day that we put aside to come together to remember, to learn about the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur, in the hope that there may be “One Day” in the future with no genocide. We learn more about the past, we empathise with others today, and we take action for a better future.

The council’s Instrumental Music Service (IMS) also worked in partnership with schools across South Lanarkshire to create a virtual online event to commemorate the Holocaust Memorial Day. You can access the performance on YouTube. The schools were provided with a link to enable classrooms to use it as part of their work to commemorate the day with children and young people. Learning resources were also distributed to all schools.