Supporting Jewish servicemen

JEWISH VETERANS have acknowledged Prince Philip’s efforts on behalf of the community’s servicemen and women.

Royal Navy man Alan Tyler, 97, was three years behind the Prince at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth.

“I just knew him as one of the many senior cadets who came in from public schools to join us,” Mr Tyler said.

“[He] was chosen to show Princess Elizabeth round the college and we understood this was the first time they had met.”

Years later, the paths of the royal and the Surbiton resident crossed again through the Association of Jewish ExServicemen and Women (Ajex).

The two met when Mr Tyler served as chair of the annual Ajex remembrance parade, sharing stories about “the old days in the Navy. He had a remarkably quick memory. We had some common acquaintances but Prince Philip knew so many people.”

He was also “extremely bright and cheerful and interested in what everyone had to say. I always had a tremendous admiration for him and all the work he did for this country.”

Ajex vice-president Ron Shelley noted the “esteem” in which the Prince held Jewish servicemen and women, as evidenced by his “extraordinary” involvement with the association, acting as reviewing officer at two remembrance parades (1952 and 2004).

“We were absolutely thrilled and honoured he did so,” said Mr Shelley, 92, who lives in Edgware. Recalling a conversation they had ahead of the 2004 parade, Mr Shelley added: “My impression was that he had an empathy with ex-service people.

As an ex-serviceman himself, “he had a feeling for them and what they represented and what it meant to have done one’s duty and so forth”.

Mr Shelley asked the Prince for his view on reinstating national service — he was opposed, favouring instead his award scheme for young people. “I understood that perfectly.”

During their conversation, Mr Shelley also highlighted the parade’s significance within the context of the fight against antisemitism.

“Our community is occasionally accused of not having done its bit or having dual loyalty. When you see 2,000 men and women on parade from all over the country, we believe that refutes that accusation, without any further comments.”