Hackney in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)

Barnett Lewis

Courtesy of Martin Sugarman - Chairman U.K. Branch of JASHP, July 9, 2022

1. Barnett Lewis Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

At 9 Brooke Rd., lived Air Raid Warden
BARNETT LEWIS
(GM) George Medal
Jewish War Hero

September 23, 1940, at extreme personal risk, he saved many civilians during the Blitz.

Be strong and of good courage. (Joshua 1:9)
הלוא צויתיך חזק ואמץ

Erected 2022 by Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, (U.K. Branch), and AJEX (Association of "British" Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women).

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1940.

Location. 51° 33.634′ N, 0° 4.34′ W. Marker is in Hackney, England, in Greater London. Memorial is at the intersection of Brooke Road and Cottage Walk, on the right when traveling west on Brooke Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hackney, England N16 7LH, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers

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of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sir Arnold Wesker (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Lt. Col. Leo Genn, RA, Croix de Guerre (approx. one kilometer away); Mary Wollstonecraft (approx. 1.3 kilometers away); Newington Green (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); The 43 Group (approx. 1.4 kilometers away); Operation Mincemeat (approx. 1.8 kilometers away); First World War Islington 1914-1918 (approx. 2.1 kilometers away); a different marker also named First World War Islington 1914-1918 (approx. 2.1 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hackney.

Regarding Barnett Lewis. London Gazette February 14, 1941

"A large HE bomb fell on three shops under which were two public shelters containing over 60 persons. The roof of the shelter collapsed. The bomb also caused a water main to burst which flood them to a depth of approximately two and a half feet before it could be turned off. Those who were not injured were quickly got out, but one man was trapped and in danger of being drowned, while four other men were pinned by the legs.

Lewis waded through the water to the first man, and finding that he was wedged in with large pieces of brickwork and timber; (he) jacked up the dangerous roof and by sheer strength forced the brickwork away. he then found that the timber was still holding the

Courtesy of Martin Sugarman

2. Barnett Lewis Marker

man down. He crawled back and obtained a saw with which he cut this away, thus freeing the man just as the water reached his head. Lewis no doubt saved his life."

Lewis, at great and continuing risk to his own life, returned numerous times to the burning building that was collapsing to save multiple people.

Lewis was presented to the King of England who pinned the George Medal to him in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Also see . . .
1. King George VI Personally Pinned Medal on Jewish Air Raid Warden.

“So it was that a Yiddishe boy just one generation on from poor Russian Jewish immigrant parents who spoke no English was decorated by the King of England with one of our highest awards for bravery.”

(Submitted on July 13, 2022, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

2. Dedication of the Barnett Lewis historical marker. (Submitted on September 12, 2023, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional keywords. British WW2 Heroes, Blitz

Courtesy of Martin Sugarman, 1941

3. Barnett Lewis Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2022, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2022, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.