Corporal Edward Raperport enlisted in the 4th Battalion of the City of London Royal Fusiliers on 20 August 1914. He was initially posted to Malta and fought on the Western Front from January 1915 until the end of the war. Originally there were forty Jews his Battalion but by October 1915 only a ‘minyan’ (10) had survived.

Edward was a prolific letter writer and several of his letters were published in the Jewish Chronicle.


Jewish Chronicle - 20 November 1914

THE TEACHING OF THE JLB

Private Edward Raperport, 4th Royal Fusiliers, writing from Malta


…..”Our work here is getting much harder every day, but we all take it in a good spirit. I may mention that the experience I gathered in the Jewish Lads1 Brigade has stood me in good stead; in fact, they wonder how I know my drill so thoroughly, and when I tell them what the J.L.B. has done, they are surprised. I have nearly finished my course of musketry, and last week they transferred me to the gun section, at any rate, in a short time from now I expect promotion, as I am well in the manning. No, I do not regret joining the J.L.B., and I absolutely recommend every Jewish boy to it as they can take it from me nothing is finer…… Extend my best wishes to all officers and lads of the J.L.B., also mention me especially to my old company, Deal Street, A…..”


The Jewish Chronicle - 1 October 1915

ITEMS OF INTEREST

In the Jewish World of Wednesday reference is made to the "Jewish Remnants of the 4th London Regt, photographs of whom appear in the Jewish military pictures. The Jewish men who were home for Yom Kippur returned to the front on Tuesday evening of last week, and in the course of a cheerful letter tent to us, Corporal E Raperport writes:—
"Here we are! Here we are again! Right in the trenches and we are going to something great in a day or two. Things here are lively!"


The Jewish Chronicle - 28 January 1916

HOW JEWS MET AT THE FRONT.

A striking story of how two Jews met and recognised one another at the front is given in a letter by CorporaI Edward Raperport of the 4th London Regiment to his cousin in London, Mr B. Raperport.

“I am billeted, he says with some French soldiers also a French officer. As usual the conversation led to photographs and of course I displayed my photographs. Amongst my collection I have a photograph of an Aldgate boxer named Young Cohen. The French officer looked at this photo for quite a time; he then looked at me, and alter a short time he asked me if I was a Jew. Of course I was taken by surprise and answered “yes”. He then embraced me and told me he was a Jew and lived in Nancy. The words he used when he introduced himself were ‘Shema Yisroael‘. He could not speak Yiddish, but, nevertheless, he knew a few words. We finished up with a champagne supper This is to me a unique experience as it is the first Jewish French soldier I have come in contact with on active service. His regiment is alongside our regiment in the trenches. By the way he has been decorated with the ' Croix de Guerre ‘. This is his name monsieur Georges Bloch. The weather this week is rather fair. Our depot is at a place called ______ about two miles behind the firing line. The Huns don’t shell it shell villages behind it. The reason is that this is a German Garden City and was owned by the Huns before the war. It is an up-to-date village, and built on the modern system. I am quite comfy, and have a nice bed. They say they can’t get me up in the morning.’


The Jewish Chronicle - 5 October 1917

FESTIVAL SERVICES AT THE FRONT

Corporal Edward Raperport, 4th London Regiment writing to Mr. George Goodman, of 48 St. Charles Square, North Kensington, London.

"To-day I went to a service, and my G-d, what a service it was, a more impressive one I have never been to. Just picture to yourself, first of all, the site of our Shool - somewhere on the Somme, in a town that was magnificent in pre-war days - now battered to ruins by the Germans, and which held a population of 100,000. Now not a wall remains standing, yet among all this came about 1,000 Jewish soldiers, some straight from the line, with rifle and pack, etc., such as ourselves, while others travelled about thirty miles to attend on this all-solemn day.
Can you picture to yourself what it was like? Brother met brother, and friend met friend; it was o- grand meeting of proud Jews, proud of being Jews and glad to be spared to be at the service. The Rev. Michael Adler, C.F., officiated and well did he do it. Our thoughts were of kinsfolk at home, their friends and what they might be doing. The service was carried out with the usual custom; portions of the Law read from a miniature Sepher Torah; Shema Yisrael, Adon Olom, address by the Chaplain and Kaddish. There was a lump in everyone's throat and many a tear was wiped away during the service. It was a merry time after the service shaking hands with all old club friends. Quite a number of Americans, both officers and men, were present. Are the Jews doing their bit? Those who doubt it ought to have been present at the service to see these gallant men."

When Edward Raperport wrote this letter, he was the only Jewish boy left in his Battalion.


Researched for "British Jews in the First World War" by Dr Ronnie Fraser