Accession Number
1993-3-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
1993-3-1
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1917-1919
Scope and Content
Accession consists of original and copies of documents and newspaper clippings pertaining to Lawrence Kert's service as a pilot during the First World War. Included are his graduation certificate from the Royal Flying Corps, his flight log, documents, and press clippings concerning his capture by the Germans.
Administrative History
Lawrence Kert left the University of Toronto to enlist in the 228th Battalion in 1915, and was transferred to the Royal Air Force in 1917. He was listed as missing, but was actually a prisoner of war. He survived and returned to Canada.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Name Access
Kert, Lawrence
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-54
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2004-5-54
Material Format
graphic material
Physical Description
23 photographs : b&w (11 negatives) 13 x 18 cm or smaller
Date
1915-[ca. 1966]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of copy photographs documenting the military career of Jack Aarons in England, Egypt, and Palestine during the First World War and at military parades in Toronto after the Second World War. There is also a photograph of the inerior of the Murray House catering kitchen on Steeles Avenue about 1966.
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Places
Egypt
England
Palestine
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2008-1-7
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2008-1-7
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
5 photographs : b&w and sepia (tiff)
Date
[ca. 1914]-1942
Scope and Content
This accession consists of five scanned photographs of David Hart and his father Alfred E. Hart in military dress. Three of the photographs feature Alfred during the First World War in an army uniform and one photograph features Alfred in his uniform standing with David in a naval dress on the street in Toronto. The final photograph is of a victory parade on Yonge Street after the First World War (original source: the City of Toronto Archives, fonds 1568, Item 314). The photograph features Brodey Draimin Fur Co. in the background and was originally published in the Toronto Star.
Administrative History
Alfred E. Hart was in the Canadian infantry during the First World War and fought in four major battles. He was the owner of the Brodey Draimin Fur Company, located on Yonge Street in Toronto. His son, David, was in the Naval Home Guard, Royal Regiment, during the Second World War.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Descriptive Notes
Related material note: see oral history 375 for David Hart's account of his wartime experiences.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Name Access
Hart, David
Hart, Alfred E.
Source
Archival Accessions
Name
Lawrence Kert
Material Format
sound recording
Interview Date
6 Oct. 1975
Source
Oral Histories
Name
Lawrence Kert
Number
OH 5, OH 6
Subject
Gold miners
Lawyers
Politicians
Prisoners of war
World War, 1914-1918
Interview Date
6 Oct. 1975
Quantity
3 WAV files
4 cassettes (2 copies)
Interviewer
Stephen Speisman
Total Running Time
1:30 min.
Conservation
Copied to cassette in August 2003
Digitized between December 2014 and February 2015
Use Restrictions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Biography
Lawrence Kert was born in 1896 and graduated as a lawyer in 1920 from the University of Toronto's Osgoode Hall. Kert served as a lieutenant in the Canadian Army during the First World War and became a prisoner of war when his plane was shot down in Germany. After his return to Toronto, Kert became a member of the J. Singer & Company law firm. Kert was instrumental in organizing the Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto and the Oakdale Golf and Country Club; he also sat on the board of the Goel Tzedec Synagogue. Kert passed away in 1976.
Material Format
sound recording
Name Access
Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto
Goel Tzedec Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)
Geographic Access
Englehart (Ont.)
Mattawa (Ont.)
Toronto (Ont.)
Original Format
Audio cassette
Copy Format
Audio cassette
Digital file
Transcript
OH 005 Side 1: 00:24: Lawrence discusses his family’s arrival to Canada. His parents were born in Vilna and came to Montreal in the early 1880s. His parents met in Canada and were married in Sherbrook. 1:45: Lawrence explains how his father settled in Mattawa, Ontario, near North Bay. 3:15: Lawrence discusses the large Kert family, which settled in Canada and the United States. All the Kerts were related. He mentions one branch in Ottawa, Abram Kert, and shares an anecdote about a cousin, Big Isaac, who lived in Montreal. 6:23: Lawrence’s parents were Henry Isaac and Rachel Isaac (née Vineberg). 6:43: Lawrence chronicles his father’s start in Canada. Initially, his father peddled around Cornwall, Ontario. Then wet to the Klondike. By 1890, he had generals stores set up in Mattawa and Peterborough. He later returned to the Klondike for a short time. He remained in Mattawa for fifteen years. The family moved to Montreal in 1903. 8:34: Lawrence recalls one other Jewish family in Mattawa, the Stern family. 10:31: Lawrence explains why his father returned to Montreal. His father was invited to supply produce to the contractors who were constructing the Timiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway in northern Ontario from 1903 to 1905. 13:10:Lawrence explains how his father was able to earn the contract with the railway. 13:49: Lawrence’s father opened a store in Leskeard. 14:29: Lawrence shares an anecdote about the initial discovery of silver in Cobalt by Fred LaRose, a blacksmith. 15:40: Lawrence explains how his father agreed to build a hotel in the new town site of Englehart in 1904. 17:07: Lawrence’s father sold the produce business to a cousin, Charlie ?Bernstein, who maintained the business in Cochrane for about fifty years. 17:54: The hotel burned down in 1918. Lawrence’s family lived in Englehart from 1905 to 1921/22. 18:22: Lawrence discusses his father’s participation in communal activities in Mattawa and Englehart. He was elected to serve on the school board. He was a supporter of the Conservative Party. Lawrence describes both his parents as socially involved and well-liked. 21:18: Lawrence’s mother was active in the Daughters of the Empire. 21:36: Lawrence discusses the Jewish communities of Englehart and neighbouring Krugersdorf. The synagogue was burned down by a bush fire in 1906. Lawrence had his bar mitzvah in Englehart. After the synagogue burned down, services were held in private homes, including the hotel. 25:38: Lawrence discusses other Jews who lived in Englehart. He lists names and describes their businesses. 27:51: Lawrence discusses Jewish life, practice and education in Englehart in the time period of 1905/06 to 1911. OH 005 Side 2: 00:33: Lawrence recounts a story involving a cousin who was staying with his family at the hotel. 3:24: Lawrence explains that his father built a hotel in Englehart in 1904 and stayed until 1920. The hotel was destroyed by a fire. Lawrence explains why his father did not rebuild the hotel. 4:18: Lawrence’s father started to work in the fur business. He sold the raw furs to St. Louis or to Montreal. 5:16: In 1922, Lawrence’s family moved to Montreal. 5:41: Lawrence was born in 1896. He moved to Englehart at age nine. 6:00: Lawrence discusses his Jewish education. His family belonged to Shaarei Shomayim in Montreal. When they moved to Englehart, they had a teacher. 7:10: Lawrence mentions a warm relationship between his father and Rabbi Jacobs, the head of Holy Blossom on Bond Street in Toronto. 9:13: Lawrence attended the Bond Street synagogue. 9:50: Lawrence became a member of Goel Tzedek. 10:00: Lawrence and his sibling attended high school in Hillbury. He reports not experiencing of antisemitism. 11:39: Lawrence explains how he moved from Englehart to study law at the University of Toronto in the summer of 1914. 12:55: At the outbreak of the war, Lawrence participated in the officers’ training corps at the University. He explains his training and describes how, in 1915, at age eighteen, he qualified as an officer with the Algonquin Rifles. While overseas, he trained as a pilot. 15:42: Before going overseas, Lawrence was the officer in charge of a scout troop in his battalion. 16:20: Lawrence describes the accommodations made for veterans who returned to University of Toronto in 1919. He explains how he was able to complete three years of law school and graduate in the summer of 1920. 18:28: Lawrence lists some of the prominent graduates from his year. 19:01: Lawrence explains that was shot down over Germany in 1917, where he spent the remainder of the war. 20:15: Lawrence explains where he resided while going to university. 21:43: Lawrence describes his involvement with the Jewish community in Toronto. He attended Goel Tzedek and had Jewish friends. 22:42: Lawrence discusses how he got involved at Goel Tzedek and lists some of the families who were members. He explains how he got know Toronto relatives of his oldest brother’s wife. 26:29: Lawrence suggests that university students were welcomed by both clergy (he cites Rabbi Price) and the lay community (he cites the Coopers). 27:22: Lawrence became a charter member of the first B’nai Brith Lodge in 1920. 28:32: Lawrence articled with a non-Jewish firm: Faskin-Robinson. After graduation, Lawrence started a small law firm with Joe Singer. They stayed together for forty-five years.
Source
Oral Histories
Accession Number
2012-12-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2012-12-1
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
2 v : 36 x 29 x 5 cm and 36 x 29 x 1.5 cm
Scope and Content
Accession consists of two volumes of the Canadian Jewish War Memorial Book of Remembrance. The first of these two volumes contains lists of Jewish soldiers who served in the Canadian military during the South African war, the First and Second World Wars and Korea. It also lists current day Jewish peacekeepers. There are photos and lists of Jewish chaplains who served in the military. For each war, it lists awards, casualties, soldiers' positions and identification numbers. The second volume contains lists of American soldiers who served in the Canadian military.
Custodial History
This book was presented by the Canadian Jewish War Memorial Association to the US Consulate who subsequently donated it to the Ontario Jewish Archives.
Subjects
Korean War, 1950-1953
South African War, 1899-1902
World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1939-1945
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-1-1
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-1-1
Material Format
textual record
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Date
1917-1964
Scope and Content
Accession consists of records documenting Samuel Berger and his family. Included is Sam's marriage certificate, wedding invitation, naturalization certificates, and pay book and discharge papers from the First World War. Also included is a copy of the birth certificate for Sam's wife, Rebecca (nee Rotenberg) and a newsclipping of the obituary for Rebecca's father, Lazar Rotenberg.
Custodial History
The records were in the possession of Goldie Berger, the daughter-in-law of Samuel Berger and wife of Leonard Berger.
Administrative History
Samuel Berger enlisted in the Canadian army in Oct. 1918. He was discharged in Dec. 1918. He married Rebecca Rotenberg in 1917.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-3-6
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2015-3-6
Material Format
multiple media
Physical Description
5 cm textual records and other material
Date
[ca.1890]-[ca. 1940]
Scope and Content
Accession consists of personal records of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin, and records documenting Arthur Benjamin's military service. Records include ca. 30 photographs of three generations of the Benjamin family, Rosh Hashanah greeting cards, Hyman Benjamin's birth certificate and first aid certificate. Records also include correspondence between several branches of the Canadian government and Arthur's mother, Annie, regarding the circumstances of Arthur's death; his grave site and his army pension.
Custodial History
The records were donated to the Archives by Nancy Rose, daughter of the great-nephew of Hyman (Ben) Benjamin.
Administrative History
Hyman "Ben" Benjamin (ca. 1884-1969) was born in Leeds, England to Lazuras and Annie Benjamin. He married Hilda (Holds) Benjamin, and they immigrated to Canada in 1911. He worked as a car mechanic. They had two daughters, Laura (b. 1911) and Florence (b. 1912).
Arthur "Abraham" Benjamin (ca. 1882-1917) was Hyman Benjamin's brother. He immigrated to Toronto from Leeds some time after 1911 and worked with Hyman as a car cleaner. He joined the 198th Battalion of the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in 1916, and was killed in the First World War.
Use Conditions
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Name Access
Benjamin, Arthur, 1882-1917
Benjamin, Hyman, 1884-1969
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2017-4-3
Source
Archival Accessions
Accession Number
2017-4-3
Material Format
graphic material (electronic)
Physical Description
1 photograph : col. (tiff)
Date
2000
Scope and Content
Accession consists of one digital scan of Marsha Slavens standing next to the grave of her relative, fallen soldier Private Archie Walter in Pas de Calais, France.
Photo Caption: Marsha Slavens at the graveside of her great uncle Private Archie Walters of Hamilton, Ontario, Bois-Carre British Cemetery, (Pas de Calais, France), 2000.
Administrative History
Archie Walters (1892-1917) was a Private in the Canadian Infantry, Royal Canadian Regiment and volunteered to serve in the First World War. He died on the first day of the battle of Vimy Ridge, April 9, 1917 and is buried at the Bois-Care British Cemetery, Pas de Calais, Plot V1.B.3. Born in Volkovitisc, Russia, at the time of his death he was 24 years of age. His father, Max Walter, is noted as his next of kin and lived at 68 Wellington St. Hamilton, Ontario.
Use Conditions
Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the Archives to obtain permission prior to use.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Name Access
Walters, Archie, 1892-1917
Places
Pas de Calais, France
Source
Archival Accessions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Pamphlets series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 17; Series 51; File 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Canadian Jewish Congress, Ontario Region fonds
Pamphlets series
Level
File
Fonds
17
Series
51
File
7
Material Format
textual record
Date
1938
Physical Description
1 folder of textual records
Scope and Content
File consists of a pamphlet issued by the Jewish War Veterans of the United States regarding Jews of many countries serving in the First World War.
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 1257
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
1257
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[1915 or 1916]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Name Access
Benstein, Isadore
Frankel, Roy
Geldzaeler, Ben
Jacobs, Arthur
Lyons, Sigmund
Subjects
Military uniforms
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
1977-4-7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 542
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
542
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1917]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 18 x 13 cm and 4 x 5 cm
Scope and Content
Item is a copy photograph of Harry Smith (R) and Charlie Schatz (L) in soldier uniforms, First World War. Both Charlie and Harry were tailors. They were both drafted in 1917 and both survived the war.
Name Access
Smith, Harry
Charlie Schatz
Subjects
Soldiers--Canada
Tailors
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
Acquired Jan. 12, 1976.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 4992
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
4992
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[between 1914 and 1919]
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w (1 negative)
Admin History/Bio
The Hart family lived at the Walters home at 72 Ontario St., Toronto.
Name Access
Hart, Alfred
Ontario St
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
1989-12-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 74; Item 7
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
74
Item
7
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[193-]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 16 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph of Jewish war veterans at a First World War memorial service, City Hall, Toronto. The people identified in this photograph include: Judge Samuel Factor, Fred Hamilton, Mr. (?) Mazurkoff, Mr. (?) Mazurkoff, Mrs. Joshua Smith, Joe Moscoe, and John J. Glass. Joe Moscoe is located standing in the second row near the woman in the dark jacket.
Name Access
Factor, Samuel
Hamilton, Fred
Mazurkoff, Mr
Smith, Joshua
Glass, John J.
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
Veterans
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Toronto (Ont.)
Accession Number
1976-9-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 74; Item 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
74
Item
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[between 1914 and 1919]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 9 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Standing, 5th from right: Yitzchak Ben-Zvi.
Jack Arons, Toronto pictured as well.
Name Access
Arons, Jack
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Windsor (N.S.)
Accession Number
1987-12-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 74; Item 2
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
74
Item
2
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[between 1914 and 1919]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 9 cm
Name Access
Arons, Jack
Egypt
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
World War, 1914-1918
Accession Number
1987-12-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 74; Item 10
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
74
Item
10
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[194-?]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph documents First World War veterans on parade. At the front is Jack Aaron; at the far left with crutches is Joe Moscoe.
Name Access
Royal Canadian Legion
Subjects
Parades
Veterans--Canada
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
University Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
Accession Number
1976-9-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 74; Item 12
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
General Wingate Branch 256, Royal Canadian Legion fonds
Level
Item
Fonds
74
Item
12
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1950]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w ; 18 x 13 cm
Scope and Content
Photograph depicts First World War veterans with a boy scout. Second from the left is Jack Aaron (First World War); third from the left is Joe Morris (Boer War); and third from the right is Mike Sandler.
Name Access
Royal Canadian Legion
Subjects
Canada--Armed Forces
South African War, 1899-1902
Veterans
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Accession Number
1976-9-1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
ID
Item 644
Source
Archival Descriptions
Level
Item
Item
644
Material Format
graphic material
Date
3 Dec. 1919
Physical Description
2 photographs : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
Scope and Content
Item is two copies of a photograph of the Ottawa Hebrew Benefit Society assembled at a banquet in honour of the returned Jewish soldiers from the First World War. The photo shows the attendees seated at several banquet tables, dressed in formal wear.
Name Access
Ontario Hebrew Benefit Society
Subjects
Societies
Soldiers--Canada
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
Ottawa (Ont.)
Accession Number
Acquired in 1975.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Thelma Harris Rose Family fonds
Ruben family series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 115; Series 3; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
Thelma Harris Rose Family fonds
Ruben family series
Level
File
Fonds
115
Series
3
File
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
[ca. 1914]
Physical Description
1 photograph : b&w : 8 x 14 cm
Scope and Content
File consists of one portrait of Aaron Ruben as a teenager. Aaron was killed at Ypres during the First World War.
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918
Soldiers--Canada
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Photograph series
Level
File
ID
Fonds 109; Series 3; File 1
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Photograph series
Level
File
Fonds
109
Series
3
File
1
Material Format
graphic material
Date
1914-1918
Physical Description
6 photographs : b&w ; 15 x 10 cm or smaller
Scope and Content
File consists of photographs mostly taken in France during the First World War. John Glass is pictured in uniform, doing his laundry with a washboard, and in a group photo with fellow soldiers. Photos of two cemeteries, one with a Star of David marker, and a young man, "Levine," who was killed on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918 are included.
Subjects
Cemeteries
Soldiers
World War, 1914-1918
Repro Restriction
Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
Places
France
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Artifacts series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 109; Series 1; Item 13
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Artifacts series
Level
Item
Fonds
109
Series
1
Item
13
Material Format
object
Date
[ca. 1935]
Physical Description
1 pin ; 11 cm long
Scope and Content
Item consists of three ribbons hanging from a pin with a gold or silver coin at the bottom. The coins have images on both sides. On one medal is a profile of King George V and Queen Mary. On the second medal is an image of an angel with wings; on its opposite side, there is writing that reads: The War for Civilization, 1914-1919. The third ribbon has an image of King George V on one side and a man on a horse on the other.
Name Access
George V, King of Great Britain, 1865-1936
Mary, Queen, consort of George V, King of Great Britain, 1867-1953
Subjects
Monarchy
World War, 1914-1918
Physical Condition
Fair. Ribbons are fraying slightly and have fold lines. Medals are tarnished.
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Artifacts series
Level
Item
ID
Fonds 109; Series 1; Item 15
Source
Archival Descriptions
Part Of
John J. Glass fonds
Artifacts series
Level
Item
Fonds
109
Series
1
Item
15
Material Format
object
Date
[between 1914 and 1918]
Physical Description
1 medal ; 2 cm in diam.
Scope and Content
Item is a circular medal. There is an inscription that reads: "For Service at the Front." On the reverse side there is an inscription that reads: "Penalty for misuse 500 dollars or six months imprisonment."
Subjects
World War, 1914-1918
Physical Condition
Good.
Source
Archival Descriptions