Albyn pupils from left Rachel Milne, Amy Young, Aymen Benylles, Alex Rayner and Ellen Blunsdon with Harry Bibring,

A holocaust survivor has made a poignant visit to a north-east school to honour the memory of those whose lives were lost and to teach the lessons of those who survived.

Harry Bibring, 90, shared his heartbreaking story with students at Albyn School in Aberdeen yesterday thanks to a programme organised by The Holocaust Educational Trust.

Mr Bibring’s family, who lived in Vienna, were forced to flee following the Austrian Anschluss in March 1938.

Harry’s parents decided that he and his sister should leave for Britain on the Kindertransport – the plan was for them to be sponsored by a family friend and for their parents to join them as soon as they could.

But that never happened.

In November 1940, Harry’s father died of a heart attack, while his mother was deported to the death camp at Sobibór in German-occupied Poland.

Despite everything he experienced, Mr Bibring said his mission is to spread the message of peace.

“My mission is to spread the message of peace despite people being different from one another,” he told the students.

“However, the 21st century and the young generation have failed to get close to this goal as we continue to see the suffering in Syria and across the world.

“I hope my work alongside the Holocaust Educational Trust is able to make some impact on the youth of today in spreading this message.”

Headmaster Dr Ian Long said he was “honoured” Mr Bibring took the time to visit pupils and staff.

“He is a truly inspirational man who has given the pupils a once in life time insight into what life was like growing up during World War II,” he said.

Albyn School leaver, Leo McKeever, 18, got the opportunity to visit Auschwitz concentration camp last year and returned to Albyn School yesterday to hear Mr Bibring speak.

He said: “I found Mr Bibring’s story one of perseverance and determination.

“It was also interesting to compare his story to others I had heard going through the lessons from Auschwitz programme.

“It outlined the message for me that whilst his struggle was a common theme throughout the holocaust and similar to others I have heard, it is none the less poignant in the message it is trying to deliver.”

Senior prefect, Rachel Milne, 17, said: “Mr Bibring raised important issues which were not only very educational but also very engaging when hearing of his experiences first hand.”