Boots worn in Belsen Concentration Camp (1939-1945)

The pair of wooden soled boots are from Belsen Concentration Camp. Made during World War Two using re-cycled materials. The backstrap from an army gaiter has been re-used and fabric from uniforms has been used for the upper. They have a leather toecap, wooden clog sole and string for a lace. Although cobbled together they are still quite robust.

The shoes were brought back by 'Picture Post' journalist Peter Ainsworth at the end of World War Two. As everything at Belsen was lice-ridden and infected, the contents were burned by the allies when they discovered the camp in 1945. It seems unlikely that the boots came from inside Belsen. In earlier years, before conditions deteriorated, it is believed Belsen had a 'shoe factory' in which inmates made shoes for people in the surrounding area. It's possible that this boot was one of them but we cannot be certain. - text and photo source - Northampton Museums & Art Gallery