1SAS Belsen

1SAS T Troop at Belsen.

The first British troops to reach Belsen was a patrol commanded by Lt John Randall 1 SAS of Frankforce. On April 15, 1945, Lieutenant John Randall and his driver (Likely Cpl John (Jock) Scott Brown (3321353) were motoring through forests of pine and silver birch in northern Germany when a terrible smell hit them, a cloying stench of rot and excrement that seemed to hang in the air like a plague miasma. Randall and his driver were the first Allied soldiers to enter Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

A few minutes later Randall was joined by others from the troop. ‘We stood aghast,’ one recalled*. ‘We simply could not comprehend that human beings could treat their fellow men in such a brutal and heinous way.’

This page will feature members of 1SAS with links to further reading.

*Quote by Johnny Cooper

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A few minutes later Randall was joined by others from the Troop. Reg Seekings and Johnny Cooper, along with the chaplain, Fraser McLuskey and Major John Tonkin.

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Of the 1SAS recce screen, it was Lt John Randall and his driver Cpl Brown who made the first appearance, approx 30mins later to be followed by another jeep with Major Tonkin and Sgt Seekings. Sgt Duncan Ridler and Johnny Cooper arrived later still as did units of 63rd Anti-Tank Regmt, from which OC Lt Col Taylor took temporary command and had the Camp Commandant Josef Kramer placed under arrest.

According to GHQ Liaison Regmt War Diary, presence of the Camp was notified by high ranking German Officer at 159 Bde HQ on 12 April 1120hrs. A negotiated cease-fire then followed. Further note at 2020hrs 13 April records that “Belsen Camp is not yet captured”.
The following 14 April, POW camp at Fallingbostel with allied prisoners was also located.

Earliest organised entry into the camp was made on 15 April at 1615hrs, with Capt JW Gray GHQ Liaison Regmt, Maj J Tonkin 1SAS Bgde & Brigadier Glyn Hughes, Assistant Director Medical Services, making a specific inspection of the hutted camp area.

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The 1SAS party contained Duncan Ridler, John Randall, Victor Long, Peter Weaver, Reg Seekings and others.

They were ordered to stay there until help came, this came at 4.00pm that day in the form of a fumigation truck and the first ones fumigated were the SAS party as they had to push on.

Only Peter Weaver stayed on, as interpreter to Lt.Col. Taylor OIC 63 Anti Tank Regiment RA who were the first troops to stay any length of time in Belsen.

 

John Randall

Born 20.2.1920 Hampstead,London
son of John and Margaret May (nee Newman) Randall
father served as Captain KRRC in WW1
educated Arnold House School
educated St Lawrence College, Ramsgate
office boy, Shell Mex House
83 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery,R.A. January 1940 (Gunner Sgt)
124 OCTU,Llandrindod Wells, Wales 1940
Commissioned 2Lt R.A. 1941
GHQ Liaison Regiment (G Group G Squadron) 6.6.1941 (2Lt Lt)
GHQ Liaison Regiment (F Squadron) 14.1.1944
1 SAS (HQ Squadron – Signals Officer) 19.3.1944 – 1.10.1945 (Lt)
Mention in Despatches (France 1944)
business consultant postwar
married Jane (2 children)
Autobiography with M.J. Throw :- The Last Gentleman of the SAS (2014)

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Cpl John (Jock) Scott Brown (3321353)
Left (with arms folded) is Jock Brown served with 1 SAS 25.2.1944 – 16.11.1945

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Major John Tonkin

Tonkin (Standing)

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Reg Seekings

Read More

Johnny Cooper (L)

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Keith MacLellan

Read More HERE

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Victor Long
Those horrific images were seen at first hand by 82-year-old Victor Long, of Essex, a former SAS member who was one of the first British soldiers to enter the camp. “These memories stay with you, you can never forget.”

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Peter Weaver
Only Peter Weaver stayed on, as interpreter to Lt.Col. Taylor OIC 63 Anti Tank Regiment RA who were the first troops to stay any length of time in Belsen.
Photo courtesy of Joanna Weaver (daughter)

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Duncan Ridler
Arrived later in evening/afternoon

Fraser McLuskey (Rev)
Chaplain to the Forces Fourth Class ​

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