Major William Schonfield has been appointed to command the 3/ 10th
Battalion London Regiment.
Major Schonfield has had a long army career. He was the first Jew to join
the London Scottish, twenty-three years ago, and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 17th North Middlesex Rifles, now the 19th Battalion London Regiment, in 1897, advancing step by step to the rank he now holds. The greater part of his military service was occupied with Staff work, holding appointments as Brigade Signalling Officer in several London Brigades, and subsequently as Field Officer in charge of Brigade Specialists, earning repeated recommendations from the Brigadiers under whom he served. Having retired in 1911 with his
rank and the privilege to wear H.M. uniform, he joined the Reserve, and was called up for service on the outbreak of war as officer in command of the administrative centre of his present regiment, to the third battalion of which he has now been appointed chief. The idea of holding the annual Chanucah parades is due to him, and-.was conceived for the purpose of attracting the Jewish youth to the Colours.
The Rev. S. Lipson writes:—It was a source of particular pleasure to me to learn of the appointment of my valued friend. Major William Schonfield, to command the 3rd/19th Battalion London Regiment. Major Schonfield has helped me considerably with his counsel on many occasions when experienced military advice was needed, and to know that I could always turn to him at a moment's notice, when there was a necessity for immediate action and insufficient time to consult my
colleague at the front, has been a source of much comfort. Major Schonfield's influence for good over the Jewish young men has been most marked, and his appointment will be hailed with satisfaction by a wide circle of friends.

Major Schonfield busied himself in various Jewish committees connected with the military as well as Jewish life. He also concerned himself with various Zionist causes and in 1916 was elected the Glasgow representative of the Anglo-Jewish Association in London.
He was also a Committee Member of Care and Comforts Committee, 38th-42nd Royal Fusiliers, known also as the Jewish Regiment and the Judeans.
During the Second World War, he was still interested in the Jewish Military, being on the Committee to look after the interests of the Air Training Squadron at Stamford Hill along with Viscount Bearstead.

He encouraged his nephew, Lt Philip Jacobs to apply for transfer to the Royal Jewish Fusiliers in 1918

All research by Lola Fraser