This sculpture, situated on the seafront of Scarborough’s north bay, is titled Freddie Gilroy and the Belsen Stragglers. It was created by sculptor Ray Lonsdale and depicts Freddie Gilroy, an old soldier who helped liberate the Bergen‑Belsen concentration camp during the second world war. Lonsdale created it as a tribute to Gilroy, who was his friend, and as a broader reflection on war and the Holocaust.
It was only meant to be displayed in Scarborough for four weeks in 2011 but a local resident stepped in to buy it so it could stay in the town.
What isn’t apparent from my picture is the scale of the figure, which is twice life size, and dwarfs people as they pass by.
Minolta X-300, Minolta MD 50mm f/1.7 & Kodak Gold. Lab developed. Home scanned and converted with Negative Lab Pro.
Taken on 14 March 2026
Steel City Snapper photography 