Harry Steinberg (STE6949)

Basic Information

Unique reference:

STE6949

Other first name:

Henry

Gender:

Male

Birth

Date of birth:

1897

Place of birth:

London

Death

Date of death:

16 Kislev 5677 (11 December 1916)

Died in combat?:

Yes

Place of death:

France

Cause of death:

Killed in Action

Burial place:

Beaumont-hamel British Cemetery

1 of 3
CWGC headstone photographed by Tony Hayes
2 of 3
Original headstone bearing cross, photo by Andy Green
3 of 3
Rededication ceremony, photo by Geoff Spring

Synagogues

Name:

Brixton Synagogue

'The Star of David can be seen on the grave of Private Harry Steinberg, buried here, but until 2005 his grave showed a cross. Western Front Association member Andy Green was the man behind this change. On a tour of the Somme Battlefields, he noticed that Private Steinberg’s grave bore the cross, although his name suggested he may have been Jewish.

On returning home, Andy found that Harry Steinberg was listed in the British Jewry Book of Honour. The 1901 Census enabled Andy to trace the Steinberg family, and he located Private Steinberg’s obituary in the Jewish Chronicle.

When Andy presented all this evidence, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission agreed to change Harry Steinberg’s headstone. Andy, along with Geoff Spring (Chairman of the Ox. & Bucks Branch of the WFA) attended the rededication ceremony on May the 9th 2005, after the new headstone bearing the Star of David had been put in place. About 60 people were present at the ceremony, including local dignitaries, the military (including a Jewish French General), members of the WFA, members of the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women (AJEX) Standard bearers, a bugler and a pipe player.'

Source: https://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/somme/beaumont-hamel/

There is a story that Harry had actually converted to Christianity and therefore the original cross was correct, but we have no confirmation of this.

Military Record

Military service:

Army

Military record no.:

S/7101

Date discharged/death:

11 December 1916

Rank at discharge/death:

Private

Assignments

Regiment:

Queen's Royal West Surrey Regiment

Battalion/unit:

2nd Battalion

1 of 2
Register of effects
2 of 2
Medal card

Roll of Honour

H. STEINBERG, 11 December 1916

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