Sigmund Gestetner
Born:
15 Av 5657 (13 August 1897)
Died:
5 Iyyar 5716 (16 April 1956)
Basic Information
Birth
Date of birth:
15 Av 5657 (13 August 1897)
Death
Date of death:
5 Iyyar 5716 (16 April 1956)
Cause of death:
Lung cancer
Places
Addresses
Family home:
124 Highbury New Park London
Father's business address :
Neo-Cyclostyle Works, Fawley Road Tottenham Hale, London
Schools
Name:
City of London School
Other Organisations
Name:
Jewish National Fund of Great Britian
Name:
Joint Palestine Appeal in Great Britian
Sigmund's inventor father
David Gestetner, born 31 March 1854, was the inventor of the Gestetner stencil duplicator. This invention revolutionised printing, allowing numerous copies of documents to be produced quickly at a low cost.
In the 1920s, the Gestetners continued to trade and grow the firm. A brochure advertisement, estimated to be from 1922, describes the machine as ‘the most up-to-date, clean and economical Duplicator on the market.’
During WW2, Gestetner Ltd London manufactured grenades. The Gestetner company was also known for making stationery products and copying machines.
Sigmund expanded his father’s firm, passing management to his wife Henny and later his two sons, David and Jonathan.
(Research by Shalom Sussex)
Jewish welfare
In 1942, Sigmund wrote to the National Council of Y.M.C.A.’s about a London Jewish Centre for Forces of the United Nations. The National Council outline the need for such an organisation, as displayed during World War One, the postwar period and during World War Two. The outcome of this association is currently unclear to us.
(Research by Shalom Sussex)
Family
Spouse
Spouse
Children
Jonathan Gestetner (male)
Sophie Gestetner (female)
Jonathan Gestetner (male)
Sophie Gestetner (female)
Siblings
Theresa Gestetner (female)
Theresa Gestetner (female)
Parents
Father: David Gestetner (male)
Mother: Sophie Gestetner (female)
Father: David Gestetner (male)
Mother: Sophie Gestetner (female)
Military Record
Military record no.:
2732, 113136
Date enlisted/conscripted:
15 July 1915
Date discharged/death:
February 1919
Rank at discharge/death:
Corporal
Sustained injuries:
Gas poisoning
Assignments
Regiment:
Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial)
Battalion/unit:
Sanitary Coy. 2nd London Division
Posting:
Posted to France 31/08/1915
Sigmund was just 17 at time of enlistment, but told recruiters he was 19.
He was gassed whilst serving in the trenches, and was treated in hospital for 125 days, being discharged on 8th March 1916. Sigmund suffered from this injury for the rest of his life, eventually dying at the age of 58 from lung cancer.
Medals:
British War
Victory
15-Star
1 of 16
Service record
2 of 16
Letter from Sigmund requesting proof that he served with the Royal Engineers
3 of 16
Envelope with father's business address
4 of 16
Service record
5 of 16
Letter referring to Sigmund's initial service with the Sanitary Coy. of the RAMC
Note the headed paper with images of the Gestetner Duplicator
6 of 16
Letter confirming Sigmund enlisted with the 2nd London Sanitary Coy. before transferring to the Royal Engineers
7 of 16
Further letter confirming service in RAMC before RE
8 of 16
Asking for date of transfer to Royal Engineers for records of the RAMC
9 of 16
Statement of previous service
10 of 16
Front of previous
11 of 16
General Service Obligation
12 of 16
Receipt of 1915 Star medal
13 of 16
Military Record
14 of 16
War Pension record card
15 of 16
Hospital record reading 'gas poisoning' under disease
16 of 16
Service record
1 of 16
Service record
2 of 16
Letter from Sigmund requesting proof that he served with the Royal Engineers
3 of 16
Envelope with father's business address
4 of 16
Service record
5 of 16
Letter referring to Sigmund's initial service with the Sanitary Coy. of the RAMC
Note the headed paper with images of the Gestetner Duplicator
6 of 16
Letter confirming Sigmund enlisted with the 2nd London Sanitary Coy. before transferring to the Royal Engineers
7 of 16
Further letter confirming service in RAMC before RE
8 of 16
Asking for date of transfer to Royal Engineers for records of the RAMC
9 of 16
Statement of previous service
10 of 16
Front of previous
11 of 16
General Service Obligation
12 of 16
Receipt of 1915 Star medal
13 of 16
Military Record
14 of 16
War Pension record card
15 of 16
Hospital record reading 'gas poisoning' under disease
16 of 16
Service record
Other Occupations
Type of employment:
Gestetner Ltd.
Position:
Managing Director
A brochure advertisement for the Gestetner Duplicator, estimated to be from 1922
A brochure advertisement for the Gestetner Duplicator, estimated to be from 1922
Gallery
