Moving commemorations held for old soldiers
Commemorations for the centenary of the death of Captain Norman Packer and the consecration of Boer War veteran Tpr Benjamin Braun’s headstone, 94 years after his death, have been held at Sydney’s Rookwood Cemetery.
Pictured at the graveside [of Captain Norman Packer] are ‘Doughie’ with a cousin of Packer, Lew McDonnell, Minister for Veterans David Elliott, Rabbi Dr Ben Elton, Dr Keith Shilkin (Chair) and Peter Allen (Coordinator) of Operation Jacob. Photo: Peter Philippsohn
NSW Minister for Veterans David Elliott and a commemorative horse named ‘Doughie’ attended the unique event arranged by Operation Jacob in the Jewish section at the cemetery on Sunday.
While serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps with the British Army of the Rhine, Captain Packer died following an accident on 26 October 1922 at Cologne, Germany, when the horse he commandeered slipped while dashing to the aid of its wagon’s driver. Captain Packer’s parents arranged for his body to be exhumed from Sudfriedhof Imperial War Graves Cemetery, then returned to Australia and re-buried on 1 July 1923, with full military honours.
Peter Allen, the coordinator of Operation Jacob, supported by FAJEX and AJHS, told over 40 people attending the event Benjamin Braun’s story before Rabbi Benjamin Elton conducted the consecration service.
President of NAJEX Roger Selby recited the Ode to the Fallen.
