On Wednesday 24 November, an exhibition from the Jewish Military Museum, London, will be officially opened at Firing Line, Cardiff Castle.
The exhibition tells the story of the British Jews who have served in all the British Armed Forces since 1763 to the current day, focusing on topics such as World Wars I and II, The Royal Navy, The Royal Air Force and the Far East Campaigns.
Poignant artefacts are displayed from different episodes, including a Victoria Cross awarded to Flight Sergeant Louis Aaron of the RAF in 1943, a pair of inmate’s trousers worn by a Jew in Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp, the uniform jacket of Mrs E M Hyman, who served in the Woman’s Voluntary Service in Cardiff during World War II and the full uniform of a Chelsea Pensioner who had served in both the British Army and Navy.
This is the first time that the Jewish Military Museum has taken its collection on tour. The Cardiff branch of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX) has helped to co-ordinate this trial and if successful, this could be the start of an active touring programme around the country.
Director of Firing Line, Christopher Dale, explained: “We’re so pleased to have this first touring exhibition in Cardiff. There are lots of exceptional stories about many Jewish servicemen and women and some highly relevant local artefacts on display. We hope it will serve as a poignant reminder of the contribution of British Jews throughout history. It is also an opportunity for the museum to forge even stronger links with local communities for future projects.”
The official opening will be attended by the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Keith Hyde, Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council, Councillor Judith Woodman, and First Minister Carwyn Jones. Mr Ron Shelley MBE, Chair of the Jewish Military Museum will speak about the Jewish Military Museum and Mrs Brenda Goldberg, Museum Director – Jewish Military Museum, will also speak at the launch about the significance of the exhibition and the future of the Jewish Museum.
The exhibition is available to all castle visitors until 30 January 2011, including National Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January – the date Allied Forces liberated Auschwitz.
