Brigadier Benjamin, Commander of Jewish Brigade, Comes from Family Active in Jewish Life

The British Government today released further details on the appointment of Brigadier Ernest Frank Benjamin as commander of the recently formed Jewish Brigade group. reviewing his military record and pointing out that he is treasure of the United Synagogues in England.

Brigadier Benjamin, who is 44 years old, was born in Toronto and is the son of the Late Frank D. Benjamin, who served for many years as president of the Holy Blossom Congregation and treasurer of the Toronto branch of the Angle-Jewish Association. He was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1919. He was sent to Malaya in 1936, with the rank of captain, returning to England in 1969. He served at home during the early years of the war and later participated in General Platt’s rapid advance in 1942 in the Madagascar campaign. He also served in Egypt and visited Palestine.

Brigadier Benjamin’s father, after returning from Canada to England, became an active leader of the London Jewish community, serving as treasurer of the United Synagogues. He was a member of the Jewish Board of Guardians, of the Council of Jewish College, of the Anglo-Jewish Association and of the Central Committee for Jewish Education.