76 years after his burial, WW1 veteran Gus Solomon’s grave has been consecrated
Forty-five people attended the consecration of the official war grave of “Gus” Solomon Lipman, a Jewish First World War veteran, who had been buried in an unmarked grave in Orange General Cemetery.
Driver Gus Lipman
Gus Lipman died in Orange Base Hospital in 1949, but like 105 other diggers and a nurse who returned from WWI – including many who had suffered “shell shock” – his grave remained unmarked in the nearby cemetery until local researcher Sharon Jameson discovered their woeful situation just four years ago.
Subsequently, John Thomas of Forgotten Diggers notified Peter Allen, coordinator of Operation Jacob. The Office of Australian War Graves recognised Lipman’s Jewish faith by including a Star of David on his headstone while also providing war graves for many other veterans.
Organised by Operation Jacob’s Coordinator, Peter Allen, more than 25 people travelled from Sydney to Orange for the weekend, joined by a half dozen Jews who live locally, for the largest Jewish gathering ever held in the bustling, historic NSW central western city. Prayer services were held on Friday evening and Shabbat morning in the beautiful Orange RSL Memorial Hall, led by three members of Chabad of Rural and Regional Australia (RARA), with kosher food provided by the COA.
A very moving service arranged by the Orange RSL sub-branch was held on Saturday for the 107 ex-servicemen and the nurse whose graves are now marked with a headstone or commemorated in Orange General Cemetery. Later, some 20 Sydneysiders enjoyed a walking tour of the charming city led by the Orange and District Historical Society.
Some of those attending the consecration. Peter Allen in in the cetre wearing black
Gus Lipman’s consecrated resting place
On Sunday, the Mayor of Orange, Cr Tony Mileto, also attended the consecration service at Driver ‘Gus’ Lipman’s grave, officiated by Australian Army Chaplain Rabbanit Judith Levitan, that included an emotional address by Gus’ grand-nephew Peter Howarth. Abram (aka Augustus) Solomon Lipman, born 1879, served with Motor Transport Companies in France from 1917-19. A Remembrance Service ensued for all six Jewish servicemen of Orange, including two who died on service (Pte Charles Rosenwax, KIA 1917 & Gnr Alan Rosenberg, DPOW 1943) and Jack Silver, who died in 1994. He is buried in the small Jewish section, where the kaddish was recited. Gary Luke of the Australian Jewish Historical Society spoke.
Sydney’s David Newman said: “What a wonderful and spiritual weekend adventure in Orange. Operation Jacob not only did honour to the deceased soldiers, but also brought honour to the Jewish community in a country city where there are few Jews.”
