Maurice Steckoll (1895 - 1948)

Maurice Steckoll, also known on a document as Morris, is the son of Nochum Aaron Steckoll, known as Aaron, the brother-in-law of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Levin family HERE. Steckoll family HERE.

Parents: Nochum Aaron Steckoll (1867 - 1933) and Gittel Bucher (1870 - 1926)

Born: 30 January 1895 in Dvinsk, Latvia

Hebrew name: Moshe son of Nachum Aharon

Siblings

• Simon Steckoll (1893 - 1935) married Fanny Esther Gould (1904 - 1987) in Senekal, Orange Free State, South Africa in 1923
• Jack Steckoll (1898 - 1989) married Lily Chaitow (1902 - 1980) in Johannesburg, South Africa on 7 July 1925
• Eva Steckoll (1903 - 1983) married Woolf Stein (1898 - 1947) in Ladybrand, Orange Free State, South Africa on 7 February 1929

Occupation: Merchant owning and operating a general store in the Orange Free State, South Africa. He was in partnership with his father Aaron and brother Simon and they each had a one third share. There were three stores located in Ladybrand, Hobhouse and Vinies (a railway siding in the Ladybrand district) - so one store for each of the shareholders. The firm was called A. Steckoll and sons. Simon managed the Hobhouse store, his father the Ladybrand store and Maurice the Vinies store. After his father's death in 1933 the brothers had a half share each and it appears that the Ladybrand general store was either sold or leased. On Simon's death in 1935 it appeared that Maurice went insolvent. On his death certificate his occupation is listed as a bookkeeper

Married:

Golda Casper, sometime before 1926 and probably somewhere in the Orange Free State, South Africa - perhaps at Ladybrand

Children

• Samuel Steckoll (1926 - 1985)
• Gerald Steckoll (1929 - 2000)
• Arnold Steckoll (1929 - 1930/1931)

Gerald and Arnold were twins. At age 1 or 2 both contracted polio but only Gerald survived. The children's' mother, Golda, died in 1939 age 40, when Samuel was 13 and Gerald 10. Samuel went to live with his aunt Eva and her husband Willie Stein in Bloemfontein and Gerald was sent to the Arcadia children's home in Johannesburg

Maurice and Golda in 1926

Military

Maurice in the military. At left, taken in 1916, he is a sergeant in WW1 and at right, taken in 1943 during WW2, he rose to the rank of staff sergeant

World War 1

Extract from his 2nd World War application form summarising his 1st World War service. He was a Quartermaster sergeant during the Afrikaner Rebellion and the South West African campaign. Botha’s Hoogeveld Ruiters was a specific mounted unit (Ruiters means "Riders" or "Cavalry") from the Highveld (Hoogeveld) region, serving under the overall command of Prime Minister General Louis Botha. In summary, this entry records that Maurice served as a Quartermaster Sergeant in a mounted Boer commando-style unit during both the suppression of the internal 1914 rebellion and the subsequent 1915 invasion of German South West Africa

This is a 1914–1915 Star Medal Index Card for Maurice Steckoll, a soldier who served during World War I. These cards were created by the Army Medal Office to track a soldier's eligibility for campaign

Key Details on the Card

• Name & Number: Maurice Steckoll, service number 82474.
• Regiment: He served under Lt-Col. J. V. Swemmer in the 4th Mounted Brigade (4 Mtd Bde).
• Next-of-Kin: His father, A. Steckoll, residing in Ficksburg, O.F.S. (Orange Free State, South Africa). The "P.K." stands for Poskantoor (Post Office).
• Medal Entitlement: The large stamp at the bottom indicates he was awarded the 1914–1915 Star. This medal was granted to those who served in a theatre of war between August 5, 1914, and December 31, 1915.
• Service Dates: A reference note mentions "D. of pay fr. 26.1.15 to 26.5.15," likely indicating his period of active service or pay eligibility during the early part of the war. 
• B. W. & V.: Refers to the British War Medal and Victory Medal, which were typically awarded alongside the Star. These were despatched on June 2, 1922 ("2/6/22").

World War 2

World War II Military Service Card for Maurice Steckoll who served in the South African Union Defence Forces (UDF). 

These cards were used to provide a concise summary of a soldier's identification, next of kin, and key service milestones such as promotions and transfers. 

Key Details from the Record

• Soldier Identity: Maurice Steckoll (Service Number 86464). He was 45 years old when he enlisted, having been born on January 30, 1895.
• Unit & Role: He served in the 'Q' Services Corps, specifically the Supply Depot. This branch was responsible for the critical logistics of the war effort, including the provision of rations, ammunition, fuel, clothing, and equipment.
• Civilian Background: Before the war, he worked as a Bookkeeper and Storekeeper.
• Next of Kin: His sister, E. Stein, who lived at 33 Third Avenue in Bloemfontein. 

Service History & Movements

• Enlistment (Postings): He joined as a Private (Pte.) on May 21, 1940, in Bloemfontein.
• Promotions: He rose through the ranks to Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) and then Corporal (Cpl) by April 11, 1941.
• Transfers (Moves):
• December 12, 1940: Stationed at Tempe, a major military base in Bloemfontein, as part of the Mechanical Transport section of the 'Q' Services.
• September 14, 1941: Transferred to the Supply Depot in East London.

Service Obligations

The red stamps at the top, "AFRICA" and "ANYWHERE," refer to the specific oaths taken by South African volunteers. The "Africa Oath" meant the soldier agreed to serve anywhere on the African continent, while the "General Service Oath" (often marked as "Anywhere") meant they volunteered to serve in any theatre of war worldwide. 

World War II Attestation Paper for Maurice Steckoll, documenting his official enlistment into the Volunteer Units of the Union Defence Force (UDF) of South Africa on May 21, 1940.

Soldier Identity & Background

• Name & Number: Maurice Steckoll, Service Number 86464.
• Origin: He was born in Dwinsk, Latvia, on January 30, 1895. At the time of enlistment, he was 45 years old.
• Nationality & Religion: He is listed as a Jewish South African National, with his religious denomination noted as Hebrew.
• Civilian Occupation: He worked as a Bookkeeper and Storekeeper.
• Next-of-Kin: His sister, E. Stein, residing at 33 Third Avenue, Bloemfontein.

Military Service Details

• Unit: He joined the 'Q' Services Corps (Q.S.C.), specifically assigned to the Supply Depot S.A.S.C. (South African Service Corps). The 'Q' Services Corps was responsible for the UDF's logistics, including food, clothing, and equipment.
• Previous Service: The record notes he had prior service in the UDF during the 1914 Rebellion (also known as the Maritz Rebellion).
• Oath of Allegiance: The second page contains his signed Oath to be taken on Attestation, where he swore allegiance to King George VI and agreed to serve for the duration of the war. 

Physical Description (At Enlistment)

• Height: 5' 4"
• Weight: 136 lbs
• Eyes & Hair: Hazel eyes and Dark hair.
• Distinguishing Marks: A scar on his right knee.

Record of Service and Particulars of Discharge for Maurice Steckoll, a member of the South African Union Defence Force (UDF) during World War II. 

Service Summary

• Soldier Identity: Maurice Stockwell, Service Number 86464, held the rank of Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt) at the time of his discharge.
• Unit: He served in the 'Q' Services Corps (Q.S.C.). This corps was responsible for vital logistics, including the supply of rations, ammunition, clothing, equipment, and transport for combatant forces.
• Service Timeline: He attested (enlisted) on May 21, 1940, in Bloemfontein and was officially discharged on May 7, 1947.
• Total Service: His total period of military service was 6 years and 352 days. 

Discharge Details

• Reason for Discharge: The record notes he was discharged on "Demobilization" following the end of the war.
• Medical Condition: At the time of discharge, his medical category noted "Eye trouble" and "Chest trouble."
• Character and Education: His character was rated as "Very Good" and his efficiency as "Very Good." He had attained an education level of "Standard VIII".
• Medals: He was entitled to several awards for his service, which likely included the 1939–1945 Star, Africa Star, and the War Medal 1939–1945, common for South African Q.S.C. members who served during these years. 

Physical Description

Upon discharge, he was described as being 52 years old, with a height of 5' 3 1/2", a medium complexion, grey eyes, and dark brown hair. He also had a distinctive scar on his right knee.

In the civilian world, both before and after his service, he worked as a General Dealer and Bookkeeper.

Hospital record for Maurice. He was treated for haemorrhoids in October 1941 and bronchitis in December 1942, at St Joseph's hospital in Port Elizabeth. He also underwent a medical reclassification in March 1942 from B1 to C3. In military terms, B1 generally meant fit for service but with slight physical defects, while C3 indicated fitness only for sedentary or non-combat duties in the home country.

Record of Service for Maurice (click on image to enlarge)

Top left page, Top Panel: Record of Service (Chronological Entries)

• January 10, 1941: Off Strength from Number 21 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Kimberley, and transferred to Number 1 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps. (Reference: 109/41/372).

Bottom Panel: Personnel Particulars and Discharge

• Block Number: 86464.VE (V indicates a Volunteer).
• Surname: STECKOLL.
• Christian Names: Maurice.
• Discharge Authorised: March 21, 1947.
• Date of Birth: January 30, 1895. (Age noted as 45 at enlistment).
• Occupation: Bookkeeper and Storekeeper.
• Religion: Hebrew.
• Medical Category: [Various codes] 1038/4017.
• Posting: Private, 'Q' Services Corps (Supply Depot), South African Service Corps, Orange Free State Command, Bloemfontein.
• Date of Posting: May 21, 1940. (Reference: U.O. 1/40/381).
• Next-of-Kin (Sister): Mrs. E. Stein, 33 Third Avenue, Bloemfontein.
• Next-of-Kin (Son): Mr. S. Steckoll, 14B Hospital Road, Bloemfontein. (Added September 23, 1946).
• Medals: War Medal 1939-1945 (Serial 5449) and Africa Service Medal.
• Discharged Date: May 7, 1947.
• Legal Authority: Discharged under War Measure 38 of 1943, as amended by War Measure 57/44 and War Measure 16/45.
• Discharge Reason: (e) Partial Demobilisation.

Top right page, Top Panel

• May 21, 1940: Granted Rank of Acting/Unpaid Corporal.
• July 1, 1940: Attached to Supplies and Transport after being posted to Orange Free State Command and Natal Army Service Corps.

Bottom Panel

• January 1, 1941: Promoted from Private to Corporal.
• June 4, 1941: Sick Leave to June 5, 1941.
• September 15, 1941: Moved from 'Q' Services Supply Tempe to 'Q' Services Sub-Depot East London.
• October 9, 1941: Moved from Supply Depot East London to 3rd Division 'Q' Services Corps, South/West Africa.
• September 15, 1941: Transferred to Supply Depot East London from Supply Depot Tempe.
• October 11, 1941: Transferred to 3rd Division 'Q' Services Corps Supply Depot East London.
• October 11, 1941: Posted from Base Depot to 3rd Division Supply Company.
• October 23, 1941: Granted 7 days sick leave to October 29, 1941.
• November 9, 1941: Transferred from 3rd Division 'Q' Services Corps Supply to Supply Depot Pietermaritzburg.
• November 9, 1941: Moved from 3rd Division 'Q' to Supply Depot Grahamstown.
• January 1, 1941: Previously Promoted to Corporal.
• June 4, 1941: Granted 2 days sick leave to June 5, 1941.
• October 9, 1941: Transferred from 'Q' Services Corps East London to 'Q' Services Corps 3rd Division, South/West Africa.
• March 5, 1942: Transferred from Supply Depot Grahamstown to Supply Depot Port Elizabeth.
• November 9, 1941: Transferred from 'Q' Services Corps Supplies Pietermaritzburg to 'Q' Services Corps Supplies Grahamstown.
• September 14, 1941: From Supply Bloemfontein to Supply East London.
• October 6, 1941: Transferred to 'Q' Services Corps (Reference: October 14, 1941).

Bottom Left page, Top Panel (Service Summary 1945–1947)

• November 24, 1945: Off Strength from Number 21 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Kimberley, to Number 3 Supply and Transport Depot, Voortrekkerhoogte.
• November 27, 1945: Attached to 10 Wing, South African Naval Forces, from Number 38 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps.
• November 27, 1945: On Strength at Number 3 Supply and Transport Depot, Voortrekkerhoogte, from Number 21 Supply and Transport Depot, Kimberley.
• December 1, 1945: Transferred to 10 Wing, South African Naval Forces.
• July 1, 1946: Promoted from Sergeant to Acting Staff Sergeant.
• July 1, 1946: Promoted from Acting Staff Sergeant to Temporary Staff Sergeant.
• November 12, 1946: Admitted to Number 110 Military Hospital.
• January 29, 1947: Discharged from Number 110 Military Hospital.
• January 29, 1947: Granted 10 days sick leave (to February 7, 1947).
• March 4, 1947: On Strength at Discharge Depot, Pretoria, from Number 3 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Voortrekkerhoogte.
• March 3, 1947: Off Strength from Number 3 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Voortrekkerhoogte, to Discharge Depot, Pretoria.

Bottom Panel (Service Summary 1942)

• January 7, 1942: Granted 2 days sick leave to January 8, 1942.
• March 5, 1942: Moved from Supply Depot, Grahamstown, to Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth.
• March 16, 1942: Reclassified to remain medical category C3 (fit for sedentary or non-combat home-front duties).
• July 1, 1942: Reclassified as medical category C3.
• December 15, 1942: Admitted to Hospital.

Personal Particulars Section

• Block Number: 86464
• Surname: STECKOLL
• Christian Names: MAURICE

Bottom right page, Top Panel (Service Summary 1941–1945)

• October 6, 1943: Medical Classification changed from Category C3 to C3 (confirmed in 'Q' Services Corps).
• September 15, 1941: Moved to Supply Depot, East London, from the 'Q' Services Corps Recruit Training Depot (Category A.1).
• October 9, 1941: Moved from East London to 3rd Division 'Q' Services Corps (Reference: Water S.D. East London).
• January 12, 1943: Granted 14 days of sick leave until January 25, 1943 (Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth).
• January 11, 1943: Discharged from the Hospital.
• September 16, 1943: Granted sick leave until October 13, 1943 (Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth).
• January 1, 1941: Promoted to the war-substantive rank of Corporal.
• September 15, 1941: Transferred from Sub-Supply Depot, Tempe, to Sub-Supply Depot, East London.
• October 9, 1941: Transferred from Sub-Supply Depot, East London, to the 3rd Division.
• April 1, 1944: Promoted from Acting Sergeant to the rank of Sergeant.
• April 1, 1944: Promoted from Acting Staff Sergeant to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
• July 1, 1944: Taken on the strength of 'C' Corps Discharge Depot, Crown Mines, Johannesburg, for duty from the Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth.
• [No Date]: Awarded the Africa Service Medal.
• January 8, 1945: Moved from Sub-Supply Depot, Graaff-Reinet, to Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth.
• January 15, 1945: Off the strength of Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth, to Sydenham Camp.

Bottom Panel (Service Summary 1945)

• April 28, 1945: Admitted to the Hospital.
• June 19, 1945: Discharged from the Hospital.
• June 20, 1945: Granted 10 days of sick leave until June 29, 1945.
• June 30, 1945: Off the strength of Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth, and transferred to Supply Depot, Graaff-Reinet.
• August 24, 1945: Accepted for continued service in the Union Defence Force.
• October 6, 1945: Off the strength of Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth, and Sub-Supply Depot, Grahamstown, and transferred to Supply Depot, Kimberley.
• October 7, 1945: Taken on the strength of Supply Depot, Kimberley, from the Supply Depot, Port Elizabeth.
• October 14, 1945: Off the strength of Supply Depot, Kimberley, and transferred to Number 21 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Kimberley.
• October 16, 1945: Admitted to the Number 2 Air Depot Sick Bay.
• October 17, 1945: Admitted to the Number 142 Military Hospital, West End, Kimberley.
• October 15, 1945: Taken on the strength of Number 21 Supply and Transport Depot, 'Q' Services Corps, Kimberley, from the Supply Depot, Kimberley.
• November 3, 1945: Granted 14 days of sick leave until November 18, 1945.
• November 1, 1945: Discharged from Number 142 Military Hospital, West End, Kimberley.

Freemasonry

Maurice was initiated into the the Sir John Brand Lodge in Ladybrand, Orange Free State, South Africa on 24 March 1920, age 24. His occupation was given as a storekeeper. He was also a councillor on the Ladybrand Town Council

Death

19 June 1948 in Bloemfontein, South Africa from pneumonia and bronchitis causing cardiac failure at age 53. He was buried in the Bloemfontein Memorial Cemetery there in plot 3A:838

Death notice

Death notice for Maurice Steckoll giving his date of death as 18 June 1948 in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa

Tombstone inscription: In memory of my beloved brother Maurice Steckoll died 19th June 1948 aged 53 years. Deeply mourned. May his dear soul rest in peace (Abbr.) The date given for his death differs from his death certificate which is 18 June. The tombstone was probably the work of his sister Eva Stein

Hebrew translation: "Here is buried my dear and beloved brother, R Moshe son of Nahum Aharon Steckol passed on 12 Sivan (5708) in the 53rd year of his life...May his soul be bound up in the bonds of life."

Burial

Jewishgen Cemetery record for Maurice

Place of Birth

Maurice was born in Dvinsk, Latvia, but his family lived in Varaklani, Latvia

The Jewish community in 

Varaklani

 officially began to form in the late 18th century, shortly after the region was annexed by the Russian Empire. While a few Jewish families may have lived in the area earlier, the community truly took root around 1780. By 1797, there were 413 Jewish residents recorded in the town, a number that grew steadily as Varaklani became an important trading post. Throughout the 19th century, the population expanded rapidly due to migration from nearby Lithuania and Belarus. By 1847, the number of Jewish residents had increased to 584 people, and religious life began to flourish under leaders like Rabbi Aharon Zelig Zioni, who headed the community during this mid-century growth.

The community reached its numerical peak in 1897, when a census recorded 1,357 Jews, which accounted for approximately 75% of the town's total population. During this era, the town was led by Rabbi Abraham bar Gabai, who served as the chief rabbi for five decades starting in 1873, and Rabbi Jacob Pollak, who served as the crown rabbi. This overwhelming majority meant that for several decades, Varaklani functioned almost entirely as a Jewish town where the rhythms of life were dictated by religious law and the Hebrew calendar.

The population began to fluctuate during the early 20th century due to the turmoil of World War I and the Russian Revolution. In 1920, the first census of the newly independent Republic of Latvia recorded 868 Jewish residents, a significant decline from the pre-war peak. However, the community remained the dominant group in the town, and by 1925, the number had climbed back up to 991 people. During this period of Latvian independence, Jewish citizens became deeply integrated into the town’s governance. Reuven Arsh achieved significant prominence as the town’s mayor, while Michael Kagan served as the deputy mayor.

By the eve of the Holocaust in 1935, the Jewish population stood at 952 people, making up roughly 57% of the town’s residents. This community was supported by a network of merchant families with surnames such as Zogut, Schneir, Chait, Kaplan, Morain, Matchevsky, Steiner, Boorenstein, Berzon, Kopolovitch, Kodish, Solevy, Shvalb, and Fingerhuts. These families maintained the town's shops, schools, and cultural institutions until the Nazi invasion in 1941.

The destruction of this community began shortly after German forces entered Varaklani in early July 1941. Immediate restrictions were placed on Jewish residents, and they were forced into a provisional ghetto established next to the Jewish cemetery. On August 4, 1941, a German SD unit known as the Arājs Commando, assisted by local Latvian self-defenders and police, carried out a mass execution. Approximately 540 Jews were taken to the cemetery and shot to death in pits they had been forced to dig themselves. Rabbi Eliezer-Yaakov Hacohen Grodsky, the final spiritual leader, was particularly mistreated during this event; he was dragged to the execution site with his beard tied to a horse’s tail. After the massacre, local peasants were forced to fill in the mass graves. Before their retreat in 1944, German authorities ordered the bodies to be burned to destroy evidence of the crime