Alfred Blackstein
Born:
23 Adar I 5660 (22 February 1900)
Died:
24 Nisan 5731 (19 April 1971)
Basic Information
Birth
Date of birth:
23 Adar I 5660 (22 February 1900)
Place of birth:
Charonsky, Russia
Death
Date of death:
24 Nisan 5731 (19 April 1971)
Place of death:
The London Hospital, England
Freezing on the Front
one exceptionally cold night when he woke up in the morning Alfred had frozen stiff. The Sergeant realised what had happened, got a number of men to form a circle and they threw him from one man to another until he had sufficiently thawed out.
Goin over the Top
Alfred told a story of being in the trenches one night and was told to “go over the top”. To do this he had to fix bayonets and put his rife on the ground above him to haul himself up, using his rife as an anchor. Sometime later he found he had some sticky stuff on him. When he examined it he found it was blood. His hand was cut and it would appear he had grabbed the bayonet to haul himself up over the top and cut his hand in doing so. Until he found the blood on him he was unaware of what had happened.
Family
Homefront
Occupation:
Second World War, Auxiliary Fireman
What was the impact of this:
Having served in the First World War in the Royal Fusiliers, Alfred went on to serve on the Homefront during the Second World War as and Auxiliary Fireman, continuing his service outside of the armed forces.
Military Record
Military service:
British Army
Date enlisted/conscripted:
10 January 1918
Date discharged/death:
21 September 1919
Rank at discharge/death:
Private
Sustained injuries:
Minor cut to the hand, Bayonet
Assignments
Battalion/unit:
47th Battalion
Posting:
Deployed to The Front in France
1 of 5
Demobalisation papers
a copy of Abraham 'Alfred' Blackstein's transfer papers to the Reserves in 1919 after nearly two years serving with the Royal Fusiliers in France
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Fusiliers Badge
The badge worn by members of the Royal Fusiliers, with whom Alfred Blackstein served
3 of 5
Menorah Badge
The Menorah badge worn by Jewish Servicemen during the war
4 of 5
Alfred with other Soldiers
Alfred Blackstein in a group photograph with other British Soldiers.
5 of 5
Alfred with Nurses
Alfred (Back Left) with some nurses and another soldier
1 of 5
Demobalisation papers
a copy of Abraham 'Alfred' Blackstein's transfer papers to the Reserves in 1919 after nearly two years serving with the Royal Fusiliers in France
2 of 5
Fusiliers Badge
The badge worn by members of the Royal Fusiliers, with whom Alfred Blackstein served
3 of 5
Menorah Badge
The Menorah badge worn by Jewish Servicemen during the war
4 of 5
Alfred with other Soldiers
Alfred Blackstein in a group photograph with other British Soldiers.
5 of 5
Alfred with Nurses
Alfred (Back Left) with some nurses and another soldier
Gallery
1 of 2
Alfred Blackstein in Uniform
Alfred dressed in his full uniform, holding his rifle equipped with the bayonet he would cut his hand on during a charge over the top
2 of 2
Women marching past a Magen David
an image provided by Alfred's sons of women in uniform marching past a Magen David
1 of 2
Alfred Blackstein in Uniform
Alfred dressed in his full uniform, holding his rifle equipped with the bayonet he would cut his hand on during a charge over the top
2 of 2
Women marching past a Magen David
an image provided by Alfred's sons of women in uniform marching past a Magen David
