The September Last Post was a Jewish themed ceremony with the Israeli Ambassador, Mr Mark Regev in attendance.
Paul McCue of the Secret WW2 Learning Network led tributes to a number of Jewish people lost in WW2, including the 23 Jewish volunteers for OPERATION BOATSWAIN, mounted jointly by the Special Operations Executive and the Palmach in May 1941. All 23, and their British liaison officer, Major Sir Anthony Palmer, are commemorated on Brookwood’s Memorial to the Missing 1939-45. In particular, and on behalf of Ambassador Gershon Gan, we remembered his cousin Amiram Shohat, one of the 23.
Our Individual Remembrance remembered the other Jewish agents of SOE and especially Captain Enzo Sereni and Ensign Denise Bloch, both also listed on the Memorial.
We welcomed family members, one of whom had come from New Zealand, of Flying Officer Ernest Fooks RNZAF and Warrant Officer Terry Riordan. Both had been commemorated, along with their crew members, the previous day (31st Aug) by the unveiling of a memorial where their aircraft crashed, following a mid-air collision, close to Dunsfold aerodrome, Surrey.
We also remembered the brother of Ernest Fooks, Pilot Officer Harry Fooks, who was killed in a flying accident 21 July 1941 and who is buried close to his brother, in plot 2, row F, grave 7.
Our Standard Bearer was Mr Alan Lopez, our bugler was Ms Taz Beattie, our Parade Marshal was Ian Cartwright and Mr Rob Bennett officiated over the ceremony.
Afterwards we retired to the Trench Experience for a cup of tea.
Brookwood Last Post 