A principle that has of late been called to the attention of Jews everywhere, was echoed by Lord Melchett here at a meeting of Jewish ex-service men following a memorial service held on the Horse Guards Parade Grounds, when he declared with conviction that “those who are not good Jews can never be good Englishmen.”
The son of the late Alfred Mond, the first Lord Melchett, who has recently reaffirmed his religion as a result of the Hitlerite persecutions, said in part:
“The last time I was in this hall was the occasion when that distinguished exile, Professor Einstein, was present on the platform. I was proud that he was not only supported, but led by the most distinguished scholars and scientists throughout the country. I think that the tribute we have had this afternoon to the fighting quality of Jewry is one that should make all of us proud.
“If ever we were called upon again, the Jews of this country would make the same response they did in 1914. It is a great thing to see a gathering of this kind, as proof of our loyalty to England and of loyalty to our race.”
Sir Roger Keyes, Admiral of the British fleet, said:
“At this moment when so many of your faith are going through difficult times, I am very glad indeed to be associated with this remarkable demonstration of loyalty and good comradeship, loyalty to your king and country and good comradeship to all who fought in the great war.”
Other speakers included Rabbi J. H. Hertz, chief rabbi of England; Rabbi Dayan Gallop, senior Jewish chaplain of the British forces and Major J. B. Brunel Cohen, treasurer of the British Legion.
More than 4,500 Jewish ex-service men attended the ceremonies and reunion. Major Cohen read a telegram from King George V felicitating the gathering.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
