FIELD MARSHALL LORD GUTHRIE HONOURS JEWISH VETERANS
When over 2,000 Jewish ex-servicemen and women, accompanied by many of those still serving today, gather at the Cenotaph in Whitehall on Sunday 15 November for the annual AJEX Remembrance Ceremony and Parade, they will have much to remember.
This year marks several significant anniversaries, including the centenary of Gallipoli and the formation of the Zion Mule Corps, the first all-Jewish military formation since the biblical days of Josephus; the 75thanniversary of the Battle of Britain and the 70thanniversaries of both VE Day and VJ day, marking the end of the Second World War hostilities.
In this special year of commemoration the Reviewing Officer for the parade will be one of the UK's most senior officers, Field Marshall the Lord Guthrie who has accepted the invitation of AJEX President, Vice Admiral Lord Sterling to take the salute. Veterans from throughout the UK, the Commonwealth, Israel, the USA and France will make a special journey to pay their respects.
Despite dwindling numbers of WWII veterans and former National Servicemen the parade has increased in numbers over recent years and AJEX is confident that it will continue for many years to come.
AJEX National Chairman, Brian Bloom, a former member of the Royal Navy Reserve, said:"We have gone to considerable lengths this year to make the march as easy as possible. "All of us at AJEX should encourage as many members of the Jewish and wider non-Jewish community to make this a memorable event. With such important anniversaries this year I am sure that many people will have their own personal memories and reflections."
For the first time in recent history the parade will be commanded by a serving officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Soskin. A Grenadier Guardsman, Colonel Soskin was until recently the Brigade Major of the Household Division. He featured regular in the press and TV escorting the Royal party on ceremonial occasions. The Act of Remembrance will be led by the Chief Rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, accompanied by Rabbi Reuben Livingstone of the Royal Army Chaplains' Department, the Jewish Chaplain to HM Forces and Rabbi Harry Jacobi.
During the moving ceremony wreaths will be laid by service and ex-service organisations from the UK, France, USA and Israel, representatives of Jewish youth and by the Board of Deputies, representing the whole Jewish Community. As Whitehall falls silent the Last Post will be sounded by trumpeters of the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps. Then silence. People will reflect on the high price paid by those members of the Jewish community of Great Britain and the Commonwealth who proudly served the Crown and of the many who made the ultimate sacrifice. A moving time to remember family and friends who gave so much.
"It is important that we continue this vigil of Remembrance and demonstrate the role played by the disproportionally high numbers Jewish soldiers, sailors and airmen and women who served this country in war and peace and who continue to serve today", Brian Bloom continued.
"I extend a particular invitation to the children and grandchildren and families of those who served to come and support us and help us to continue the legacy of remembrance, welfare and education.
"We are proud to have served Crown and Country and Jews continue to serve in our Armed Forces today."
All veterans, serving personnel, supporters, friends and families are encouraged to attend and assemble at Horse Guards Parade at 1.45pm.
An AJEX party will also participate at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday when there will also be groups of Jewish veterans at war memorials throughout the country.
Ends
Note to editors: Veterans who participated in the Battle of Britain and were in Burma on VJ Day along with those who served more recently in Iraq and Afghanistan are available to inteview and comment.
During WWII over 65,000 British Jews, out of a population of some 300,000 served in HM Forces. An additional 30,000 + from the commonwealth and Palestine also served.
AJEX continues to provide welfare support to Jewish Veterans and their families and is also involved in education and remembrance.
For further information contact: Colonel Martin Newman DL FCIPR on 07717 717982 or emailmartin.newman@armymail.mod.uk