Notes
His name is not on the Historic Obelisk in Melbourne General Cemetery. Eric attested that he was Presbyterian. Eric was born 1892 Reg No 9748, Bairnsdale, Victoria. Son of Matthew HAGGAR Widower, farmer who married Isabella née McLEAN Spinster, Private Life, 8th May 1889 Reg No 3381 by Presbyterian Minister Donald Allan Cameron according to the forms of the Presbyterian Church Bairnsdale, Victoria. Maternal Grandparents: David McLEAN and Isabella née McPHERSON. Eric’s mother Mrs Isabella Haggar née McLEAN Sarsfield, Victoria born Launceston, Tasmania 24th May 1861. No death certificate found. Eric’s father, Matthew Newman Haggar, was interred at Fawkner Cemetery, Church of England Section, M, Grave 3286 on 21st September 1927. Brother: 5106 PTE Clarence Mortimer HAGGAR returned attested as Church of England. Died 1941 Reg No 19689 age 53 at Maffra, Victoria. Brother: 5107 PTE Harold Ramsdell HAGGAR, returned attested as Presbyterian. Died 1975 Reg No 19794 age 78 at Sarsfield, Victoria. Brother: 6024 PTE William Russell HAGGAR, returned attested as Presbyterian. Died 1927 Reg No 7998 age 36 at Warragul, Victoria. His will makes reference to “Jewish Faith” which, based on the other evidence at hand, apparently is a mistake. There was no minyan or notices in Jewish publications in Victoria. His death was in the Bairnsdale newspaper Thursday 5 April 1917 Page 4. Article headed “Sarsfield Soldier Killed”. Also “In Memoriam”. A private notice has Christian references. There is no evidence except for the will, where there is a reference to him being Jewish. Rabbi’s decision: Ruled to not be Jewish. Therefore not to be on the list for future memorials.
John Monash (Monasch) born
in Melbourne, Australia on 27 June 1865, the son of
German Polish Jewish migrants, can be researched in any
military history encyclopaedia or in fact by just
‘Googling’ his name on the internet. His history
and list of achievements are long and far too many to detail
in this brief summary. However, might I say that reading his
history is well worth the effort and I can assure you that
his deeds will amaze you. I have found that the deeds are
better labelled on more than one man and in more than one
lifetime.
An
announcement was made in the weeks leading up to the
Centenary of ANZAC by Judy Landau, President VAJEX Aust.
She stated that it gave her great delight to announce
that VAJEX Aust (Victorian Association of Jewish Ex
& Servicemen & Women Australia Inc) has
successfully raised the required funds to build a new
Victorian Jewish Memorial after the style of the
historic Memorial located in the Jewish section of the
Melbourne General Cemetery. After an extensive two year
process, Judy has single-handedly sought letters of
support, raised the funds, and obtained approval from
the City of Port Phillip.