The Somme, 110 years on: The Jewish soldiers who fought and died

The Battle of the Somme, which commenced on July 1, 1916, stands as one of World War I's most devastating and notorious engagements. Intended to break German lines and hasten an Allied victory, the first day resulted in catastrophic losses for the British Army, with 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 killed. This single day marked the bloodiest in British military history.

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By nightfall, the British Army had suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 killed. It remains the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army.

The offensive continued until November 18, 1916, characterized by relentless mud, artillery bombardments, failed assaults, and minimal territorial gains. By its conclusion, over a million soldiers from all sides had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. The Allies managed to advance only about eight kilometers, a stark illustration of the brutal trench warfare of the era.

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By the time heavy rain and exhaustion brought the offensive to a close, more than one million men from all sides had been killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.

Amidst these staggering numbers were Jewish soldiers from across Britain, including those from established families and recent immigrants from Eastern Europe. They shared the same perilous trenches and faced the same fate as their comrades. Volunteer researcher Lola Fraser, utilizing resources from the Jewish Military Museum and the British Jewry Book of Honour, has worked to recover the names of these soldiers.

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Tens of thousands of British Jews served in the Great War

The Book of Honour, compiled by Rev. Michael Adler, recorded the service of tens of thousands of Jewish individuals in British and colonial forces during World War I. Fraser's research identified 35 Jewish men who perished on July 1, 1916, the Somme's opening day. These soldiers hailed from various English cities, with a significant number from London. The imperfect nature of wartime records means some identities may be uncertain or lost, but the recovered names allow for a more personal remembrance of their sacrifice.

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Fraser found that 35 Jewish men are listed as having died on July 1, 1916, the opening day of the Somme, although the museum notes that some may have died elsewhere.