Object numberM2019/038:007
Creator Mike Lewis (photographer)
DescriptionSmall photograph album compiled by Mike Lewis on the event of the 1st Parachute Brigade sports meeting, 20 July 1944, at Belton Park, a Royal Air Force Regiment training depot.
Mike Lewis was born Colman Michael Wiessenberg, in London on 6 February 1918. He was the son of Polish Jews who had come to Britain before the First World War. Mike was called up in 1940 and joined the Royal Fusiliers, but volunteered for the Parachute regiment in December 1941 to escape the boring routine of Infantry. He successfully passed through the tough parachute training course, despite a fear of heights. He served in several engagements against the Afrika Corps in Algiers and was wounded in the arms and legs. After hospitalisation in Tunis, Lewis joined the newly formed Army Film and Photographic Unit in Algiers when he heard they were setting up an Airborne Section. He took part in the airborne invasion of Sicily along with the 1st Parachute Brigade, but his plane was hit by flak and returned to the UK.
The 1st Parachute Brigade also returned to England in late 1943 and trained for operations in North-West Europe under the supervision of I Airborne Corps. The sports meeting must have been a welcome diversion from this rigorous training.
From there, Mike went on to cover the battle for the bridge at Arnhem and was one of the few to escape. The following year he was sent to cover the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from 15-26 April 1945. He was a member of the flying column that pushed beyond the battle lines to occupy Denmark. After the war, Mike went on to work as a news cameraman for the BBC until his retirement. He died in Australia on 8 April 1986.
This album is part of a larger collection of photographs, documents, artworks and objects that formed the personal archive of Mike Lewis.
Mike Lewis was born Colman Michael Wiessenberg, in London on 6 February 1918. He was the son of Polish Jews who had come to Britain before the First World War. Mike was called up in 1940 and joined the Royal Fusiliers, but volunteered for the Parachute regiment in December 1941 to escape the boring routine of Infantry. He successfully passed through the tough parachute training course, despite a fear of heights. He served in several engagements against the Afrika Corps in Algiers and was wounded in the arms and legs. After hospitalisation in Tunis, Lewis joined the newly formed Army Film and Photographic Unit in Algiers when he heard they were setting up an Airborne Section. He took part in the airborne invasion of Sicily along with the 1st Parachute Brigade, but his plane was hit by flak and returned to the UK.
The 1st Parachute Brigade also returned to England in late 1943 and trained for operations in North-West Europe under the supervision of I Airborne Corps. The sports meeting must have been a welcome diversion from this rigorous training.
From there, Mike went on to cover the battle for the bridge at Arnhem and was one of the few to escape. The following year he was sent to cover the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp from 15-26 April 1945. He was a member of the flying column that pushed beyond the battle lines to occupy Denmark. After the war, Mike went on to work as a news cameraman for the BBC until his retirement. He died in Australia on 8 April 1986.
This album is part of a larger collection of photographs, documents, artworks and objects that formed the personal archive of Mike Lewis.
Production placeEngland
Production date 1944 - 1944
Subjectphotographers
Object namephoto albums
Dimensions
- width: 170.00 mm
width: 343.00 mm
height: 130.00 mm
depth: 25.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Helen Lewis. This collection was donated in memory of Mike Lewis who filmed the liberation Bergen-Belsen concentration camp as part of the British Army Film and Photographic Unit.