Jack Nissenthal - The VC that never was

This is not the first time I have written about Jack Nissenthal on this Blog (key his name into the search box on the right to read these other articles).

Jack was an old C&BG boy who was truly part of WW2 History, and now by one of those amazing strokes of luck, I have just learned a bit more of his post-war activities and the true calibre of the man that should have rightly been awarded a VC.

The following article was sent to me, from the US, by Peter Applebaum MD who knew Jack and his wife post war in Pretoria, South Africa.

Read on !

My memories of Jack Nissen (as we all knew him) date from my childhood through young adulthood in South Africa. Jack and Dell had a record store and nobody could understand why they did what they did because, bless them both, they didn't have a head for business and they were right next door to a store whose owners did.

It turns out that, the way I understand it, Field Marshall Smuts had invited Jack to come to South Africa straight after the war and set up radar in South Africa. However, during the sea voyage from England, Smuts and his ruling party were voted out of office and the new Nationalist party wanted none of Smuts's ideas.

Jack and Dell, as well as their two children, became family friends. Two more modest people I would be hard-pressed to name. Always friendly, kind and hospitable. I will never forget Dell's booming cockney laugh. In over twenty years I did not hear an unkind word from either of them. When my father underwent orthopedic surgery, Jack was one of the first to visit him in hospital.

Our paths diverged in the 1970s: Linda moved to London, Jack and Dell to Toronto, and I myself emigrated to the US.

When Jack's book appeared it came as a complete surprise as they had kept completely silent about his WW2 exploits. His book was written so modestly that I had to delve a bit but it became clear to me that Jack had worked with Sir Robert Watson-Watt on the radar system which ultimately saved not only England but us all. That to say nothing of Dieppe.

It has not been my lot to meet the great and good (in South Africa the latter are in extremely short supply). Jack was, with the wisdom of hindsight, the greatest man I ever met. It was a privilege to have known him.

Peter Appelbaum

A few more reunion photos for you by Aubrey Silkoff

The first pic is of Melvyn & Barry Burton
The second shows David Goldsmith and Alan Kane

Keeping in touch ?

Please remember that this Blog is a unique way of contacting other former club members.

You have two options open to you.

1. Simply leave a comment under any of the articles on this site and I will reply as a further comment.

2. Send me an e-mail (my address is given above & in my Profile) and I will then post the article for you.
Any photos sent to me as jpg attachments can also be published.

It would also be appreciated if you pass on the link to this blog to any former club members with whom you are in contact.

Finally may I wish everybody a Happy New Year.

Best regards

Ron

News from overseas (1)

After the last club reunion I started a correspondence with Anita Loftus who sent me the following:

I have today heard from Joe Kaye (Kosky) in California) who tells me he has sent you a comment but that 'it came back'. He has asked me to send you a copy, which I am dutifully doing as follows:.

Friday 17th Sept.

Hi,

My name is Joe Kaye and a very close friend of Ben Katz and Simon Kester. When I belonged to the Boys Club (1937-1940) my name was Joe Kosky and I lived in Chertsey Bldgs. I now have lived in California for 48 years and am still in touch with the Katz Boys. I also knew Joe Brandez at school (Virginia Road) and Dicky Posener.

The lady in Melbourne, Australia (Anita Loftus) who asked you to put names under the photos, was my school sweetheart until she met Jack Loftus at a Club Dance. Anita and I have been in touch for years now by email, since Jack passed away.

It's so wonderful that some of the "old boys" still get together and I would be there if I still lived in the U.K.

Please give my best wishes to everyone.
All the best to you for a wonderful job.

Joe Kaye

ps from Ron:
Joe included an e-mail address but in the interests of anti-spamming I won't print it here but I will be happy to pass on any correspondence sent to me (see my profile for my e-mail address).
Alternately, try adding your comment below.

I also have just received this lovely photo of Jack Loftus taken in Melbourne just before a WW2 commemorative parade and also Jack in uniform circa 1941/1942

On 20-11-2010 Anita sent me this
"I am forwarding the picture of Jack and his brother Leslie in the Bandstand
(circa around 1936) which has just turned up from somewhere in my P.C."

Reunion September 6th 2010

This year's reunion at the Imperial Hotel in Russell Square, Holborn was a splendid affair for a number of reasons

Amongst the "happenings", was a visit by the Gentle Author of the Spitalfields Life Blog who had been invited to attend by the committee following his previous excellent article about club life.
Spitalfields Life.
On the evening, he very generously brought along with him some 100 maps of the Arnold Circus area, plus DVDs and other info, and these were in place at the tables for club members to take home with them.

Go to: http://spitalfieldslife.com/ for his brilliant report on the reunion and revel with me at his super, evocative photos of this very special event.

Our excellent Guest speaker was Grant Cornwell CEO of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and he made comparison with the work that his Foundation does for the youth of today with C&BG's own excellent record.

Many members had turned up despite their obvious frailty and how delighted we were to see, for example, Syd Tabor who, I must remind you all, wrote the words to our Club song.

Our hard-working Maxie Lea also managed to surprise Monty Meth with a super book all about the Spurs (one of Monty's passions) which was awarded to Monty by the committee, on behalf of the club, for his stalwart work as Chairman of the club for so many years.

The Hiller boys really triumphed this year and resounding shouts of "More !" brought them back for one reprise.

In short, a splendid time was had by all, including yours truly !

Today I received the following e-mail from Conor Maloney-Hill which I believe is self-explanatory:

Dear old boys of the Cambridge and Bethnal Green and New Cambridge Boys’ Clubs,

My name’s Conor, and I’m a researcher at a TV production company called Century Films. Some of you will be aware that we’re currently producing a documentary for BBC Two about the history of London, and that we’re investigating the past 120 years of specific areas, one of those being the Boundary Estate.

Thank you for having me as a guest at your 86th anniversary on Monday night. I was made to feel especially welcome, and I felt honoured to be there. I had a very enjoyable time and some fascinating conversations about life on the Boundary Estate.

However, there were a lot of old boys I didn’t get a chance to meet, so I’m sure there are still a lot of great stories to be found. If you feel you have anything you can tell us about life on the Boundary Estate, please get in touch. Maybe you even had ancestors who lived in the Old Nichol, before the Boundary Estate was built. If so, we would love to hear from you.

You can call us on 020 7378 6106,or email us at: historystreet@centuryfilmsltd.com

Finally, if you are reading this, leave us a comment to let us know you have called and don't forget to trot along to http://spitalfieldslife.com/ to read that full report and see some wonderful photos
Spitalfields Life.

ps
I have had a delightful letter from Australia asking me to label the pictures above & I am glad to oblige.
1. John Bush and his son Nigel
2. Martin Markey
3. Tony & Irving Hiller
4. Monty Meth & Maxie Lea
5. " "
6. The Guest List (I was sitting on Table 3)
7. Syd Tabor

Since the reunion I have received the following letter from one of the guests who has chosen to remain anonymous.

I RECENTLY WENT WITH MY FATHER TO THE 2010 CLUB REUNION. I HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND IT IS QUITE APPARENT TO ME THAT THE MEMBERS GET A GREAT DEAL OF PLEASURE SEEING OLD FRIENDS. I SUPPOSE THAT ON AVERAGE IN EXCESS OF 100 PEOPLE MEET AND THEN SIT DOWN FOR DINNER.

IT IS CLEAR THAT ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE ELEMENTS OCCURS PRIOR TO THE MEAL WHEN MEMBERS TALK TO OLD FRIENDS. THE BUZZ AND ATMOSPHERE IN THAT ROOM IS ALMOST PALPABLE AND ALTHOUGH IT IS GREAT GOING WITH MY FATHER, I FEEL A LITTLE BIT LIKE AN INTRUDER. BUT I AM SURE THAT MANY FATHERS FEEL A TWANG OF PRIDE BEING ABLE TO SAY; THAT’S MY SON OR GRANDSON.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I DID NOT WANT TO GO, FOR ALL MANNER OF REASONS, BUT IN A FUNNY WAY I REGRET NOT GOING A FEW YEARS EARLIER. THIS YEAR THE GUEST SPEAKER WAS FROM SPURS. GREAT FOR MOST OF THE SPEECH, BUT HE FINISHED OFF WITH JOKES AT OUR COMPETITORS EXPENSE. I WAS NOT TOO KEEN ON THIS AND I CAN SAY THIS AS A SPURS SUPPORTER.

THIS YEAR WAS THE 2ND YEAR IN THE NEW VENUE, ON RUSSELL SQUARE, AND I THINK IT WAS A GOOD MOVE. THE VENUE GIVES THE MEMBERS TIME AND SPACE TO CHAT AND THE FOOD IS GREAT. I AM SURE SOME MIGHT COMPLAIN, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE IN EXCESS OF 100 PEOPLE TO PLEASE, IT IS HARD TO PLEASE EVERYONE. THIS REUNION COINCIDED WITH A TUBE STRIKE AND I TOLD MY FATHER IT WOULD PREVENT A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM ATTENDING. NOT A BIT OF IT. THE PLACE WAS PACKED AND THE DISSRUPTION HAD LITTLE EFFECT. OF COURSE IF I WAS TO THINK BACK, COMPARED TO MANY OBSTACLES WHICH OCCURED IN THE PAST, A TUBE STRIKE WAS OF VERY LITTLE INCONVENIENCE.

I THINK THAT MEMBERS MIGHT LIKE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER DURING THE YEAR AND PERHAPS NEXT YEAR MEMBERS COULD BE ASKED IF THEY WANT TO GIVE THEIR LAND LINE, MOBILE, EMAIL ETC. TO OTHER MEMBERS SO THAT THEY COULD DO THIS.

ANYWAY, I ENJOY IT, I ENJOY SEEING MY FATHER SO HAPPY WHEN HE SEES OLD FRIENDS AND FEELING A LITTLE BIT WARM BEFORE THE WINTER SETS IN IS A GOOD THING.

Anon

Some pics & a bit of chat from Aubrey Silkoff

Hello Ron

I’ve just logged onto to the link that has put me through to your blog on the C&BG Boys Club. I attended the club from about 1949 up until 1954. I have very distinct (and fond) memories. Although at that age I was a bit oblivious to the goings on around me and I’ve forgotten more than I can remember.

The club leader: was it Monty? And also Titchiner (‘Titch’). I have a photograph (in poor condition) of a club meeting with some of the boys and their leaders.

We used to go to camp in Surrey (or was it Sussex). Again I have a couple of poor quality photos.

We visited The Royal Academy of Art-my very first visit to an art exhibition.

My first visit to see a play was from the club (via a taxi)- ‘Arsenic & Old Lace.’

I also remember times when ‘ruffians invaded’ the club and scaring me.

I did try The Brady club at one time but I was far more comfortable at The Cambridge & Bethnal Green Boys Club. There were fewer kids and leaders and I knew pretty well everyone there.

Always pleased to recommend a good Blog about the East End !

Maxie Lea has recently put me in touch with a super Blog called Spitalfields Life (Click on the link immediately below).
Spitalfields Life.
On this site there are some articles about an ex-C&BG boy named Aubrey Silkoff
This fascinating story concerns some grafitti scratched on a wall on 19th April 1950 by various kids who lived in the Arnold Circus area.
To find the articles, scroll down until you find the SEARCH BOX, enter SILKOFF and you will be taken to two articles.
Alternatively, look in the July Archives and find an article titled "The return of Aubrey Silkoff", dated July 28 2010.
This unique Blog is updated literally every day and is well worth a visit.
Enjoy !
Ron

STOP PRESS !

Since writing the above, the Gentle Author has paid me a visit and written a super article about the club which has been published today, 11th August 2010.

I do urge you to visit the Spitalfields Life blog, link given above, and don't be afraid to write any of your comments :)

It is with deep regret........Sydney Lever

One of the less agreeable parts of running a Blog such as this one is to receive news of the passing of one of the clubs stalwarts. Dear Sydney was a staunch supporter of the club reunion and had served the New Cambridge Club for many years. He will be sadly missed at future re-unions and we take this opportunity of wishing his family a long and healthy life.

I give below an e-mail received today from his son.

Dear Ron

It is with the greatest sadness that I write to advise you of the passing of my father, Sydney Lever, earlier today after a short illness at the age of 85.

As you know he was heavily involved with the club and the reunion dinners. He appears in many of the pictures on your blog.

Funeral is at Bushey on Friday 21 May 2010 at 11.00am and the shiva at 37 West Drive, Harrow Weald, Middlesex HA3 6TX from Sunday until Wednesday night.

Regards

Simon Lever

Still waters run deep !

One of the joys of spending a lot of time on the internet is when you get a letter such as this one, which arrived in my e-mail box the other day:

Dear Mr Goldstein,

I don’t know if I may have the wrong name but my late father used to mention a very good friend named Sidney Tabor who was in the ‘Phantom’ regiment during WWII. I noticed your article and wondered if it may be the same?
With kind regards
Kevin Holdaway.

The short story is that the writer of this letter has now been put in touch with our much respected Syd Tabor and I have learned, for the first time, of Syd's very impressive wartime background.

The photos show Syd & I at the 2008 Club re-union and Syd (central) with his Phantom unit friends, including (with the pipe) Ted Holdaway, the late father of Kevin Holdaway.

Don't you just love the internet !!!!

Jackie Shinder

I regret to inform everyone that our dear old friend Jackie has passed away.

I am informed that the funeral will be at Bushey Cemetery at 1pm on Tuesday the 11th of January.

Prayers will be held on Tuesday evening at his son's home and details can be obtained by sending me an e-mail.

Jackie was always held in the highest esteem and we send our heartfelt condolences to Stella and all the family.