Jacob Silverberg (SIL5487)

Basic Information

Unique reference:

SIL5487

Other first name:

Jack

Other surname:

Silver

Gender:

Male

Birth

Date of birth:

1898

Place of birth:

Kybartai, Russia

Death

Date of death:

1982

Died in combat?:

Place of death:

Manchester

Burial place:

Failsworth Jewish Cemetery, Manchester

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Headstone
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Photo of Jacob, supplied by his nephew

Places

Addresses

His home:

62 Berkeley Street, Strangeways

Early life memories

He was born in Russia (now Lithuania) Kybartai (the town is still there) at the end of the 19th century. His memories of his father having the fastest horse in town and the local doctors used to hire him in the winter to take them to women in labour at high speed. He also remembered seeing Russian soldiers on one side of the border and German on the other. As the time he arrived in the UK is uncertain, he either had his barmitzva in his birth town or shortly after arriving in Manchester.

Memories of growing up in Edwardian Manchester

He remembered parties and playing Postman's Knock at them, as well as when he saw his first car. He was aware of the Napoo gang in Manchester although he was not a member.

First World War Memories

He wanted to join in 1914 because he heard that soldiers got to ride bikes. He ended up joining in 1916 with his friend Victor Brazil, who was killed whilst standing next to Jack in his first engagement by a bullet straight through the forehead.
He was very impressed with the flares and artillery munitions that the Germans had.
He lost his rifle in battle and was given number one field punishment, ie. he was lashed to a gun carriage for the day.
He remembered seeing 'Mme from Armentiers parlez vouz' and 'Tipperary' with the Ldas when on the march.
There was an incident with a 'chicken dinner' in the mess that turned out to be rabbit and him being stomach pumped. This was at the training camp when he had first joined. He was enjoying the meal and said to a friend, "aren't we doing well, a chicken dinner!" When his friend said that it was rabbit... the rest is history! He said that for him eating rabbit was as bad as eating a cat.
There was an incident when he was on leave home and he left his bed to sleep in the yard with a blanket.
He was wounded and invalided to Manchester Heaton Park Hospital but the doctors did a very good job healing him and he was returned to the RFC.

Family memories

There was once an incident with his mother finding his pin-up pictures and she chucked them in the the fire.
His mother used to bring home street singers to give them a good dinner.
His father died of the flu epidemic.

Second World War Memories

He served with the RAF in South Africa and at one pointed hitched a ride in a DC3 across the country.
He remembered the good food and the sunshine.

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