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
Maurice and Golda in 1926
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 2
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)
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
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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
Burial
Maurice was born in Dvinsk, Latvia, but his family lived in Varaklani, Latvia
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.
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
Military
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 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.
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
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
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Death notice for Maurice Steckoll giving his date of death as 18 June 1948 in Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa
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
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.
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
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