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.
"At the Jewish Museum of Australia, St Kilda, the Governor-General and Lady Cosgrove, were guests of the Director and CEO, Ms Rebecca Forgasz, President, Barry Fradkin OAM and President VAJEX Australia, Dr Judy Landau, viewed the ‘True Jews and Patriots: Australian Jews and World War One exhibition."
The above statement appears on the Governor-General's website:
https://www.gg.gov.au/program/fromelles-commemorative-service-jewish-museum-australia
Judy Landau writes:
I had a chance to explain about my research for the new WWI & WWII Memorial and how DNA was sent only last week to hopefully identify one of our youngest casualties who was killed in action at the tender age of 16. It is thought that his remains have been found in a mass grave at Fromelles and his second cousin, who is a new VAJEX Australia member, supplied the DNA.
The WW1 names for the new Memorial are printed on one of the walls of the exhibition and after hearing the story of the young soldier, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Ret'd) took a pebble and placed it in memory of him. It was a very special moment. Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove placed a pebble in memory of one of the newly discovered soldiers. This is a memory I will always treasure.
As they were about to leave, Sir Peter asked if there were any Jewish nurses amongst the Australian nurses who went over to the battlefields. What a pity he didn't have time to hear my reply because there were five Jewish nurses with a Victorian connection who served in World War One. Some time ago I made a DVD on this topic with a pamphlet to accompany it and with Julie Leder, gave a talk to a women's group about women in the Armed Forces.
Photo: Peter Haskin
