Frederick Claud Stern
Born:
23 Nisan 5644 (18 April 1884)
Died:
2 Tammuz 5727 (10 July 1967)
Basic Information
Birth
Date of birth:
23 Nisan 5644 (18 April 1884)
Place of birth:
Knightsbridge, London
Death
Date of death:
2 Tammuz 5727 (10 July 1967)
Place of death:
Worthing, West Sussex
Frederick Stern in the 1950s
Frederick Stern in the 1950s
Places
Addresses
Established Highdown Gardens here:
Highdown Worthing West Sussex (1909)
Schools
Name:
Christ Church College, Oxford University
Other Organisations
Name:
Jewish School for Deaf Children
Name:
Jewish War Memorial Fund (later Jewish Memorial Council)
Significance:
Honourable Secretary
Significance:
Member of Council
Name:
Anglo-Jewish Association
Significance:
Member of Council
Post-war campaigning
After his wartime experience, Stern campaigned to improve the provision of Rabbis on the front line, providing services for soldiers. The Jewish Chronicle on 9th May, 1919, reports that Stern spoke with young Jews serving in the army, all of whom complained about the lack of Rabbis. This provoked Frederick to act to raise the status of Rabbis, attracting more men to join the ministry and improve the education of British Jews.
After serving in the war, Frederick contemplated a career in politics. While pursuing this goal, he served as secretary to Prime Minister Lloyd George at the Paris Peace Conference 1919.
(Research by Shalom Sussex)
Horticulturist at Highdown Gardens
Highdown is an 8.5 acre plot of land that were neglected old chalk pits in the South Downs National Park, near Worthing. It is mostly chalk with little soil and poor conditions for plant growth except for small wild plants.
Horticulturalists at the time believed nothing of beauty would be able to grow on chalk. This began a mission for Frederick: to prove these critics wrong. Frederick co-sponsored plant hunters, along with other collectors such as the Rothschilds and Messels to China and the Himalayas. Plants in these areas thrive in alkaline chalk soil.
Many of the original plants from their early collections can still be seen in the Gardens today, particularly plants collected by Reginald Farrer and Ernest Henry Wilson.
Together, Frederick and his wife Sybil created a famous garden which remains an exceptional site today. Many of the original plants from Frederick’s early collections are still in the gardens. A memorial plaque is in place in the garden to Sir Frederick and Lady Stern.
Sir Frederick received the RHS Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH) in 1940/41 and received his knighthood in 1956 for ‘Services to Horticulture’.
(Research by Shalom Sussex- see http://shalomsussex.co.uk/sir-frederick-sybil-stern-horticulturalist-and-captain/)
Family
Spouse
Other surname / Maiden name:
Stern
Siblings
Henry Julius Stern (male)
Parents
Father: James Julius Stern (male)
Mother: Lucie Biederman (female)
Military Record
Date enlisted/conscripted:
1914
Rank at discharge/death:
Major
Assignments
Regiment:
2nd County of the London Yeomanry
Posting:
Gallipoli and Palestine
War Office
Campaigns:
Battle of Beersheba (Palestine, 1917)
Medals:
Military Cross - "The KING has been graciously please to approve of the reward of the Military Cross for distinguished service in the Field." - London Gazette 28/12/1917
Mentioned in Despatches - "Here is a list of Officers, Nurses, other ranks and Civilians whom are considered worthy of a mention for their services during the period from 16th March, 1918, to 18th September, 1918." - London Gazette 21/01/1919
Mentioned in Despatches - "In accordance with the concluding paragraph of my Despatch, dated 28th June, 1917, I have honour to enclose here with a lost of those Officers, Ladies, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men whose names I wish to bring to your notice for gallant or distinguished conduct in the Field, or for other valuable services." - London Gazette 11/01/1918
Promotion to Major and OBE, 1918
Other Occupations
Type of employment:
Horticulturalist and Writer
Memorial Plaque at Highdown Gardens
Memorial Plaque at Highdown Gardens
Gallery
1 of 2
The Jewish Chronicle on 9th May, 1919
Reports that Stern spoke with young Jews serving in the army, all of whom complained about the lack of Rabbis. This provoked Frederick to act to raise the status of Rabbis, attracting more men to join the ministry and improve the education of British Jews.
2 of 2
A Jewish Chronicle article from 23 January 1925
Reports Stern calling upon readers to ‘be proud that they were Jews, and proud of their glorious traditions and great history.’ Frederick encouraged British Jews to read their history and be proud of their British identity.
1 of 2
The Jewish Chronicle on 9th May, 1919
Reports that Stern spoke with young Jews serving in the army, all of whom complained about the lack of Rabbis. This provoked Frederick to act to raise the status of Rabbis, attracting more men to join the ministry and improve the education of British Jews.
2 of 2
A Jewish Chronicle article from 23 January 1925
Reports Stern calling upon readers to ‘be proud that they were Jews, and proud of their glorious traditions and great history.’ Frederick encouraged British Jews to read their history and be proud of their British identity.
