British Jews in the Military: Defending the Realm

British Jews have served in the British Armed Forces with distinction for well over a century.In the First World War, out of a community of around 250,000, some 50,000 Jewish men and women enlisted. Five were awarded the Victoria Cross — Britain’s highest award for gallantry:
  • Lieutenant Frank Alexander de Pass (the first Jewish officer to win the VC)
  • Private Issy Smith
  • Corporal Leonard Keysor
  • Lance-Corporal Jack White
  • Private Robert Gee
In the Second World War approximately 66,000 Jews from Britain and the Commonwealth served. The Jewish Brigade, a 5,000-strong all-Jewish unit of the British Army, fought with distinction in Italy.
One outstanding individual was Flight Sergeant Arthur Louis Aaron, a Jewish bomber pilot from Leeds, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for extraordinary courage in 1943.
Today Jewish men and women continue to serve proudly at every level of the British Armed Forces.
When British Jews put on the uniform, they do so as proud citizens defending the country they call home.

0 comments

Leave a comment