A Jewish Regiment

Levin Daily Chronicle, 16 October 1917, Page 1

A Jewish Regiment

SHIELD OP DAVID AND LION OF JTJDAH. Records show that there are 40,000 Jews in the British army at present, and of this number 32,000 are English Jews the remaining 8000 are from the Empire abroad. There are 8000 Jews in the forces still in Britain, and these men should be very useful in training and stiffening the new-comcrs. Russian Jews, who have been living in London, have to decide whether they prefer to return to their own country, whether they will join the British ranks, or whether they prefer to enlist in the new Jewish brigade being formed. At a rough estimate there are 20,000 Jews of military age in London and another 20,000 scattered in the great provincial centres. The organiser of the- new regiment is Lieutenant-Colonel Patterson, who in Gallipoli ran the famed Zion Mule Corps, an extraordinary unit of Rus sian Jews recruited in Alexandria aftei their escape from Palestine. "HOME FROM HOME." Lord Rothschild and a number of influential English Jews are assisting Lieutenant-Colonel Patterson in every way possible to build his army on • a sound and generous foundation. The camp for the rcigment will be splendidly equipped. It will be a "home from home" for the fighting Jew; a series of interesting lectures will be given to the recruits, there will be a kinema hall, where up-to-date films J will be shown, a concert hall, a library . and recreation room, possibly a theatre, and a Jewish band. And, of course, special attention will be devoted to boxing. There are no better, cleverer, or cleaner boxers in England to-day than the young Jews of the East End. After serving for three months with the colours the Jewish soldier, if be wishes it, will bccome automatically naturalised, without expenso to himself. The formation of medical units enlisted from Jews'and of nursing units from tho same source is being undertaken. The men will be subject to the same discipline as the British soldier, will be given the same pay, and will have all the privileges of pensions and allowances that arc enjoyed by the rest of the army. They will, moreover ,have their own butchers for killing 'kosher' moat, and all their food will be prepared by cooks of their own faith. Rabbis will be appointed as chaplains. - Tho hat will be of the slouch pattern, banded with azure blue, having a line of white. The badge is to be the shield of David, two triangles of solid white metal with the lion of Judah in the centre.