The following is a record of the members

of the

Middlesbrough Hebrew Congregation

who have served in the various branches of H. M. Forces

and Civil Defence Services

===========

Part 1 of 2

L.A.C. Abraham Addis, whose father lives at 4, Hebron Road, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F in 1943, and to date has been serving in various parts of the U.K. and Gibraltar.

A truly grand service record goes to Mr and Mrs. Baum, of 12 Park View Terrace, who had six members of the family on war service.

Gunner Isaac Baum, joined the Army (Royal Artillery) in October, 1941 and served till June, 1945, during these years in various parts of England.

Gunner Joseph Baum, joined the Army in October, 1940 and served with the R.A.F. in many parts of the British Isles till June, 1943.

Pte. Myer Baum, joined the R.A.F. in June, 1942; he trained as a Sgt.Air-Gunner, and has done many operational flights over Germany. At the end of the war in Europe he was transferred to the Army (R.A.S.C.).

Seaman Nathan Baum, joined the Royal Navy in November, 1943, is at present engaged on Mine Sweeping operations, and has served with the R.N. in France, Germany and Australia.

Sgt. Israel Baum, husband of Mrs. I. Baum, 41, Highfield Road, joined the Army in October, 1940, and has served with the R.A.S.C. in England and North Africa.

Gnr. Joseph Baum, joined the Army in October, 1940. He served in the R.A. till June, 1943, in many parts of the British Isles.

Gnr.Harry L. Baum, whose wife lives at 3, Easby Avenue, Middlesbrough, is serving with Survey Regt., R.A. He joined the Regiment in October, 1939, and is at present with B.A.O.R He has been through numerous campaigns, namely three years service in the Middle East Theatre of Operations, Egypt, Greece and Crete.

Leaving England in June, 1944, for the Normany Invasion—D Day plus 3—he has been in action in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. His battle honours include service with the famous 8th Army and the El Alamein advance. His numerous experiences include the break through at Caen, the liberation of Brussels and the never to be forgotten Ardennes Battle. He also took part in the heroic stand at the Nijmegen Salient offensive in Holland, and the Rhine crossings.

Sq.-Ldr. Dr. Geoffrey Arnold Baker, whose wife lives at “Asheldon,” Mid-Warberry Road, Torquay, joined the Services in 1938, and served till Nov., 1945 in France, India, Burma and England.

Henry Bloam Baker, who is a Coder in the Royal Navy, is the son of Mrs. Baker, of 33, Thornfield Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Service in September, 1943, and to date has served in England and North Norway.

Fireman Isaac Bernard, husband of Mrs. I.Bernard, of 64, Appleton Road, Middlesbrough, joined the National Fire Service in December, 1940 and served till January, 1945.

Marine Geoffrey Benjamin, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Benjamin, 22, Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough. Joining the Royal Marines at the early age of seventeen and a half, which is indeed a grand record in itself, Marine Benjamin volunteered in March, 1943, and has served in these Islands and abroad. His foreign service includes the Eastern theatres of war, Aden, Eritrea, India, Cochin, Malaya, and is at present shore-based at Singapore. Recently his parents had the great joy in receiving a letter from their son’s commanding officer, Captain Fisher, R.M. In his letter, Captain Fisher comments on Marine Benjamin: “I have every admiration for the fortitude and cheerfulness which he displays under difficult conditions, he made light work of heavy going.”

Rita Benjamin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Benjamin of 22, Eastbourne Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Wrens in October, 1943, and served till September, 1945. She served in the Combined Operations Inverness Force S. and took part in all the preparations for D-Day at Portsmouth.

Flight-Lieut. David Brown, D.S.O., son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, 79, Green Lane, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in 1939. He was awarded the D.S.O. in 1945 for courage, determination and efficiency.

Seaman Eric Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Brown, 79, Green Lane, Middlesbrough, joined the R.N. in February, 1945, and has served to date in many parts of the British Isles.

L.A.C. A. Burnett, of 12 Sussex Street, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in February, 1940, and served in many parts of the U.K. till November, 1942.

Fireman E. Clayman, deceased, late of 22 Ayresome Park Road, M’bro., served also during the war 1914-1918 in the famous Black Watch Regiment. He acted as the Hon. Secretary for many years to the British Legion (Middlesbrough) Jewish Section. In this war he served with the N. F. S. for 3 years.

L.A.C. Walter Cohen, husband of Mrs. W. Cohen, joined the R.A.F. in November, 1941, and to date has served in many parts of the British Isles.

Pte. Aaron Cohen, also of 17, Cannon Street, joined the Army in March, 1940, and served till July, 1940.

Pte. Jacob Cohen, whose home is 17 Cannon Street, Middlesbrough, joined the Army in July, 1941, and served with the R.A. in many parts of the U.K. and Germany.

CpI. Marie Craster, daughter of Mrs. Craster, 93, Cambridge Road, joined the A.T.S. in November, 1942, and served in many parts of the U.K. as a P.T. Instructor. She also took a very active part in the organising of Concerts to the troops at various centres. Her dancing and singing to the troops was very highly commended.

Another of the very fine family contributions to the Middlesbrough war effort belongs to Mr. and Mrs. S. Doberman, of 67, Oxford Road, Middlesbrough. They have the commendable record of five serving members engaged on war service, their eldest son, Lieut. S. Doberman, R.E., joining the Royal Engineers on May 1st, 1942. Lieut. Doberman has served as Railway Transport Officer at Chilwell, Lincoln, Nottingham, Newcastle, and is at present stationed in Middlesbrough as R.T.O. He was also Embarkation Staff Officer at Birkenhead.

Capt. H. Doberman, R.A.M.C., joined the Medical Corps in 1942, and has served as Medical Officer abroad in Iraq, Iran, Syria, Palestine and Italy. Capt. Doberman was engaged on front-line duties during the bitter fighting at Salerno, and also took part in the famous operation of crossing the River Sangro.

Pte. Nancey Doberman, A.T.S., joined the Army in February, 1942, and has served with the C.R.A.S.C. for three years in Preston and Chester. She was awarded the Meritorious Certificate by the G.O.C. in February, 1945.

Miss J. Doberman enlisted with the Nursing Service in 1939, and now holds the position of Theatre Sister. Miss Doberman has been attached to hospitals all over the country.

And finally, Miss E. Doberman, who volunteered for the N.F.S. in 1943, till 1944, and was attached to the clerical section of the Fire Service in Spennymoor.

Cpl. Jack Doberman, husband of Mrs. J. Doberman of 13, Buttermere Ave., Acklam, joined the Army in July, 1940 and served till March, 1943 with the Royal Engineers, II B.D. Camp in the Shetland Isles, and in many other parts of the U.K.

Trooper Alan Freeman, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Freeman, 149, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Army (The Royal Tank Corps) in August, 1942. He has been through all the battles in Western Europe since D-Day. He landed in Normandy in one of our underwater tanks; and at present is serving in Germany.

Sgt. R. Gardner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner, 21, Philips Avenue, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in 1941 and served till the end of 1944 as a photographer with Coastal Command. He had numerous operational flights over enemy territory to his credit before being invalided out.

Betty Gardner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gardner of 21, Philips Avenue, Middlesbrough, joined the W.A.A.F. in September, 1942, she had the novel experience of being taken on a sight-seeing tour over the Ruhr in an aeroplane.

Pte. Samuel Garbutt (Signalman-Radiomechanic), son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Garbutt, 18, Linden Grove, joined the Army in November 1944, and having served in England, is now serving in India.

Sgt. Jeffrey Gillow, whose home address is 24, Fairfield Avenue, Middlesbrough, joined the Army in March, 1940, served from 1940-41 in England with the Northumberland Fusiliers, 1941-2 with the R.A.S.C. and 1942-45 with the C.M.P. in Egypt. Just another fine family whose sons have served the country well.

Mrs. Jeffrey Gillow (nee Minie Smith), of 24, Fairfield Avenue, joined the W.L.A. in April, 1942 and served till July, 1945.

Major Harald J. Gilbert, R.A.M.C., formerly of Middlesbrough, and now residing at 12, Cavendish Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Joining the Royal Army Medical Corps in December, 1942, Major Gilbert has seen service in the North African Campaign, Libya, Tunisia, Greece and the Italian Theatre of Operations. Among his battle honours are such epic struggles as Salerno, Volturno, Cantania and the Sangro. Major Gilbert has come in direct contact with many famous figures, and has personally attended the German General Von. Arnheem. Recounting his many interesting experiences, Major Gilbert well remembers, during the Grecian Campaign, being endangered by snipers, but he was in good company for, at his side, was the British Bulldog, no less famous a personality than our own Winston Churchill!!! While serving with the famous 8th Army, Major Gilbert was with Field-Marshall Montgomery, and was also attached to the personal staff of Field-Marshall Alexander.

F/Sgt. H. W. Goodman, R.A.F. (Navigator), whose home is 14, Rockcliffe Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Services in Oct., 1942. He has served to date 1943/44 in South Africa and with the Home Forces.

Mr. Jack Goldstein, an ardent communal worker and Mrs. J. Goldstein, of 59 Westward Street, had their 8 sons serving in the forces.

Trooper David Goldstein, joined the Army in June 1940, and served with the Yorkshire Hussars in France, Belgium and Holland, while serving in Holland in 1945, was wounded.

L.A.C. Lewis Goldstein, joined the B. A. F. in July 1940, has served in North Africa and England.

Cfn. Manny Goldstein, R.E.M.E.. Joining the Army in January, 1940, Cfn. Goldstein has served in this country and abroad. His overseas service includes operations in Belgium and France. Recounting a somewhat hazardous experience, he recalls the time when, during the never to be forgotten Dunkirk evacuation, swimming from the beaches to secure a boat to blessed safety.

Trooper T. Greenberg, son of Mrs. F. Greenberg, of 133, Southfield Rd., Middlesbrough, joined the Army in January, 1941, served till September, 1945 in the Royal Tank Regt. He took part in the D-Day operations, he was wounded very shortly after the Falaise Gap incident.

Fireman S. Greenberg, of 18, Emerson Avenue, Linthorpe, joined the National Fire Service in February 1941 and served till February, 1943.

Sq/Ldr. Harold Halson, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Halson, 21, Thornfield Road, joined the R.A.F. in July, 1940, he has seen service as from July, 1940 till November, 1941 in various parts of the U.K. From December, 1941, till March, 1944, he served in Canada, where he became Sq/Ldr., he returned from Canada in April, 1944 and has since served in the U.K. and was mentioned in despatches in January, 1946.

A.C.W. Iris Herschberg, joined the W.A.A.F in 1940 and served till 1944, her home address is 8, Kent Street, Middlesbrough.

Samuel Hyman, of Westwood Avenue, served in the Civil Defence First Aid and Rescue Services as from September, 1941, till August, 1945.

Mr. and Mrs. I. Jacobs of 17, Crescent Road, had three sons in the Services, namely:

T/2 Eng. Officer David Jacobs, joined the Merchant Navy in 1930, he has served to date in the Home Waters, and Atlantic, mainly West Africa. During the War his ship had many encounters with enemy bombers in the Atlantic, he has been torpedoed in the Battle of the Atlantic and had many encounters with

E Boats in “ E Boat Alley,” has had all the other experiences encountered by those who kept the sea lanes open.

Sgt. Philip Jacobs, joined the Army (R.E.s) in January, 1940, has served to date in England, Middle Fast and Italy with the 8th Army, was mentioned in despatches for devotion to duty, for very important reconnaisance work.

Bernard Jacobs, who is Assistant Steward in the Royal Navy, joined the Navy in February, 1945. He has seen and experienced much excitement in a comparatively short time. He has seen action in both home waters and abroad, his overseas record includes service in India, China and Japan. Recounting an exciting experience, he recalls when his ship had the good fortune to bring in a captured German U-boat. Asst. Steward Jacobs also took part in a naval action against the Japanese Fleet, and remembers when his ship was caught in a typhoon.

Mrs Jaffa, of 351 Linthorpe Road, had three sons in the services.

L.A.C. Harold Jaffa, whose wife is Mrs H.Jaffa, of Tel Aviv, Palestine, served with the Police War Reserve at Middlesbrough from September, 1939 till August, 1940, when he joined the R.A.F. and served till October, 1945. He served abroad over four years in Palestine, he also took part in the Khartoum desert campaign.

Fireman Eric Jaffa, served in the National Fire Service from October, 1940 till October 1944.

L.A.C. Barron Jaffa, joined the R.A.F. in February, 1942 and served till November, 1945, for the most part in West Africa.

Cpl. David Josephs, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.Josephs, 20, Reeth Road, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in October, 1940 and spent most of his time of service in India, and from where he returned in January, 1946.

Boris Kremer, husband of Mrs. B. Kremer, of 4, Stanhope Grove, Middlesbrough, joined the Army in November, 1940, and served with the Royal Engineers till November, 1945, he spent the major part of his time in Egypt, Cyrenaica and Tripolitania.

LA.C.W. Jose Levy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. L. Levy, Barker Road, Middlesbrough, joined the W.A.A.F. in May, 1942, and has served to date as a Plotter at H.Q. Pathfinder Force, in England.

Sgt. Philip Levy, son of Mrs. L. W. Levy, 30, Appleton Road, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in March, 1940. He has served in Iceland 1941-1942. After a short period in England he served in West Africa, 1944-1945.

A.C.1 Norman Levenstein, son of Mrs. Levenstein, 25, Oxford Road, Middlesbrough, joined the R.A.F. in April, 1942, and to date has served in England and the Azores.

Sgt. Nathan John Marks, husband of Mrs. N. J. Marks, 6, Barker Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Army in July, 1941, he served in England till March, 1942, went to India in May, 1942, and has returned to England quite recently.

Mrs. D. Marks, 56, Southfield Rd., Middlesbrough, one of our most ardent lady workers had all of her four children serving in uniform.

Pte. Mayer Marks, joined the Army in December 1940 and served with the R. A. M. C., till April, 1941.

Maurice Marks, husband of Mrs. M. Marks, 30, Woortlands Road, Manchester, joined the National Fire Service in September, 1939 and served till July, 1945 in Middlesbrough and Manchester.

(Theatre) Sister Betty Marks, daughter of Mrs. D. Marks, took up nursing in June, 1940; is at present serving in the Manchester Jewish Hospital.

Cpl. Bernard Marks, M.M. joined the Army in 1936 and was posted to the 16/5th Lancers with whom he served in India, returning to this country in the early part of the war he soon volunteered for service in the Middle East. He went through all the Libyan and North African Campaigns where in August, 1944 he was awarded the M.M.

Sgt. B. M. Marks, whose wife lives at “The Gables,” Oxford Road, Middlesbrough, joined the Army in August, 1941, and served in many parts of the U.K. and India till January, 1946.

Pte. Joseph Menasseh, husband of Mrs. J. Menasseh, 33, Windsor Road, Redcar, joined the Army in February, 1940 and served till March, 1941.

Another fine contribution to the war effort by the sons of a respected family of our congregation.

Part 2 of 2