17/08/2026
Today we celebrate the 84th birthday of Holocaust survivor Joanna Millan BEM.
Born as Bela in Berlin in August 1942, Joannaโs early years were marked by unimaginable loss. Her father was deported to Auschwitz, while she and her mother were sent to Theresienstadt. Tragically, neither of her parents survived. Bela remained in the camp for two years until it was liberated by the Russian Army.
After the war, she was among the child survivors brought from Theresienstadt to the Lake District. She arrived at Calgarth, on the site where The Lakes School stands today, as part of the group of young Holocaust survivors known as โThe Boysโ. Adopted by a loving family, she was given the name Joanna, but her adoptive parents never spoke about her past.
It was not until she was in her 50s that Joanna began to uncover the story of her family and her own remarkable journey.
We were honoured that Joanna, alongside fellow Holocaust survivors Arek Hersh MBE, Harry Olmer MBE and Jackie Young BEM, officially opened our Bud and Blossom Reflection Garden on 14 August 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of her arrival in Windermere and that of the Windermere Children.
Today, we honour Joannaโs resilience, courage and commitment to sharing her story. Her testimony helps ensure that future generations never forget the horrors of the Holocaust and the importance of standing against hatred and prejudice.
Happy 84th Birthday, Joanna Millan BEM.
