Andy Love MP helps gain award for local Edmonton Holocaust hero Coward

Andy Love MP’s efforts to gain official recognition for local Edmonton Holocaust hero Sergeant Charles Coward were rewarded yesterday when Coward’s relatives were invited to collect an award on his behalf from Downing Street, following lunch at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The ‘Hero of the Holocaust’ medal – a solid silver disk bearing the inscription “in the service of humanity” – was created by the Government to honour the British men and women who undertook exceptional acts of bravery in order to aid or rescue people persecuted during the Holocaust.

It was introduced following campaigns by MPs, members of the public and the Holocaust Educational Trust who wrote to Andy yesterday to thank him for his help and support in making the award possible. Andy had previously spoken in parliamentary debates and signed Early Day Motions on the issue.

Coward, who lived in Chichester Road, Edmonton, from 1945 until his death in 1976, was known as the ‘Count of Auschwitz’ having used his position as the Red Cross liaison for British prisoners of war at Auschwitz to smuggle food and other items to Jewish inmates and information about conditions at the concentration camp out. He also aided the escape of a significant number – around 400 - Jewish slave labourers.

Alongside Coward’s relatives, 25 other families of Holocaust heroes were in attendance at the small awards ceremony yesterday to honour the brave acts of their loved ones.

Celebrating the introduction of the award, Andy said…

“After much campaigning, it’s great to finally see British heroes of the Holocaust, like Edmonton’s own Charles Coward, being officially recognised posthumously for their brave efforts. This award is long-overdue but it now sets a powerful example for future generations.”