Notes
His name is on the Historic Obelisk in Melbourne General Cemetery, however he was not Jewish. Myer attested that he was Presbyterian. Son of Myer NATHAN and Amelia Janet MAHER (Millie SMITH on birth registration) of 79 Evans Street, Port Melbourne. Broken rosary in his possession. The Argus, Melbourne, Vic - Saturday, 1 June 1918: “ DIED ON SERVICE - NATHAN. — Officially reported died of wounds, 23rd May 1918, at 20th General Hospital, France. No. 6858, Acting Corporal Myer Nathan, 24th Battalion, the dearly loved and only child of Millie and the late Myer Nathan, loved stepson of J. Maher, South Wharf Police Station, also loving fiancé of Ethel Stenniken. ‘Our brave, bonnie boy. The roll has been called, and our boy is missing; The one we loved dearly will answer no more; And our lives must go on, though our hearts may be breaking, Till earth's night is finished, and life's journey o'er: And Myer will, wait with a smile and a welcome; Where sadness and sorrow and pain are unknown. And God in his infinite mercy will call us, To rest with our loved one before His great throne. Missing? Yes, missing From a home that ill could spare: When the roll is called up yonder, Our loved son will not be missing there. (Inserted by his loving mother and stepfather, 79 Evans street, Port Melbourne.)” There was no minyan or notices in Jewish publications. He has a cross on his grave. Rabbis decision: Ruled to not be Jewish and 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.
