This section remembers the 133 men from Leeds of the Jewish faith who gave their lives in World War One. The majority of these men lived in the Leylands area of Leeds close to Leeds City Centre. 

 

The first man with a Leeds connection serving in the British Army Killed in Action was a Leeds Jew Private Jack Saunders of the Northumberland Fusiliers Aged 32.

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Jack gave his life on the 23rd August 1914 on the  first day of fighting around the City of Mons in Belgium. Jacks family were from the Leyland's district.  

 

Loius Harris was the last British soldier to be shot for desertion on the 07/11/1918 aged just 23 (see below)

 

During the war Leeds saw some of the worst rioting towards any Jewish community in England. It was felt wrongly, that Jews were not patriotic and that they had allegiances to their home land of Russia and the Germans (Prussian Empire). In fact those with Russian origins were not allowed to enlist until well into the war. 

 

Many did enlist and in one such case at least 500 were reported to have marched in full uniform from the Leyland's district to Leeds City Centre to show a strength of allegiance to the Country and crown.

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ABRAHAMS - COUPLAN Click Here

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