Commemorating more than 70 years since the liberation of Auschwitz, dignitaries, residents and young people joined together to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

At the location where hundreds of young Jewish refugees arrived in 1938, the people of Lowestoft gathered to reflect upon the town's role in the Kindertransport program, while remembering those who died in Nazi concentration camps and did not escape the Holocaust.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The ceremony held at Lowestoft railway station, this morning, saw Waveney District Council chairman Mark Bee and town mayor Nick Webb hang a wreath under the plaque commemorating Lowestoft's role in the Kindertransport program.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The Kindertransport program saw more than 200 Jewish children arrive in Lowestoft, after evacuating Nazi Europe, before they were billeted at a number of places in the Waveney area.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mayor of Lowestoft, Nick Webb, said: 'It's important we continue to remember the sacrifices people made during that period of time in history.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

'It's really important for Lowestoft to remember as the town paid its part in the Kindertransport program and many people here in the town today were brought here on that day.

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

'It's also great to see the crowds again coming out to support and want to remember - especially seeing all ages wanting to get involved.'

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

He added: 'As civic leaders it is our responsibility to continue and make sure this is never forgotten.'

Eastern Daily Press: Lowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick HowesLowestoft Holocaust Memorial Day. Photo: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The theme of the annual civic service was 'how life can go on' and also marked the millions who died in genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.

Speeches were read by Nick Webb and Mark Bee which were then followed by a moment of reflection and a recital of the Jewish Mourner's Prayer, Kaddish, led by Capt. Paul McDonaugh.

Students from Ormiston Denes Academy and Lowestoft College were among the crowd who gathered and on behalf of the young people in the town, chairman of Waveney Youth Council, 18-year-old Joe Flatt also placed a wreath, he said: 'It was so overwhelming and something I will remember and treasure along with other memories of Lowestoft.'

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