Jewish war heroes recalled
Jewish Australian war veterans were recognised at the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) Political Training Seminar (PTS) in Canberra this week.
Addressing participants at the Australian War Memorial, Federal Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Senator Hon Michael Ronaldson paid tribute to the 2300 Jewish men that enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for World War I.
“They represented about 13 per cent of Australia’s Jewish community at the time,” Ronaldson said. “Of these, some 300 lost their lives on active service.”
He also noted the 4000 Jewish Australian that fought in various armed services for World War II, adding “Nearly 200 died in action: 40 were decorated for gallantry and 30 more were mentioned in despatches.”
“Nearly 200 died in action; 40 were decorated for gallantry and 30 more were mentioned in dispatches.”
Highlighting the heroism of individual Jewish veterans in the early years of the 20th Century, Ronaldson made special mention of Rose Shappere, who put her life on the line to volunteer as a nurse in South Africa during the Boer War Lieutenant Leonard Maurice Keysor (pictured), who was awarded a Victoria Cross for smothering exploding bombs with sandbags at Lone Pine during World War I, and General Sir John Monash, who is one of Australia’s most decorated war heroes. Monash was one of the first Australian soldiers to arrive at Gallipoli.
He was the only Australian brigade commander among the original troops not killed or evacuated as wounded and then he quickly rose through the ranks of the army to lead the entire Australian Corps in 1918.
“For his actions throughout the war, Monash was decorated by the French, Belgian and American governments and knighted in the field by King George V,” Ronaldson said.
“In 1930 he was promoted to General, the first Jew in any amy to attain that rank.”
The 40 participants at AUJS’s PTS also heard from, among others, Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull, Deputy Opposition Leaders Tanya Plibersek, Sky News political editor David Speers.
“PTS has been a phenomenal educational and advocacy opportunity for Jewish students,” AUJS political affairs director Matthew Lesh said.
“It has given students an opportunity to experience Parliament House first-hand and hear from the highest level of politicians, advisors and journalists in Australian politics.
JOSHUA LEVI
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