Middleton soldier's harrowing WWII experience brought to light by local author

The book features Herbert Kenny, a humble army dispatch rider who stumbled upon Bergen-Belsen in April 1945.

A local author has written a new book featuring a Middleton army dispatch rider who reveals an untold story in World War Two.

Writer Mark Hodkinson, spoke of how his new book features Herbert Kenny, a humble army dispatch rider who stumbled upon Bergen-Belsen in April 1945.

Kenny became the first soldier to witness the camp's harrowing conditions firsthand and to help bring about its liberation.

For decades, he kept his story a secret, burdened by the trauma of what he encountered and his abandonment in the aftermath. Now, with unprecedented access to his diaries, letters, and interviews, Hodkinson finally brings Kenny's story to life.

This account goes beyond the complexities of war itself, exploring how Kenny grappled with the darkness he witnessed and the aftermath of his discovery. It is a testament to the human spirit's resilience in the face of unimaginable horror and ultimately a story of courage, grace, and the enduring power of hope.

An important oral history focusing on a Nazi concentration camp that some readers will have less knowledge of. April 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Bergen-Belsen’s liberation. It is essential to share, understand, and honour first-hand accounts such as Herbert’s, especially as the generation of Holocaust survivors dwindles due to the passage of time.

Author Mark Hodkinson is an experienced author, journalist, publisher, and broadcaster. He wrote for The Times for over two decades, including three years as a columnist. He has also contributed to, among others, The Observer, The Guardian, GQ, and The Word.

His last book, "No One Round Here Reads Tolstoy: Memoirs of a Working-Class Reader," received widespread critical acclaim and was featured on Loose Ends, A Good Read, and was the main subject on an edition of Nihal Arthanayake's programme on BBC Radio Five Live.