Sidney William Loewenson (1916 - 1984)

Sidney William Loewenson, known as Sonny, is the nephew, by marriage, of my niece of Rachel Levin, my 2x great aunt. Morris family tree HERE

Parents: Benjamin (Bennie) Loewenson (1884 -1946) and Annie Friedberg (1887 - 1976)

Tombstones for Sonny's parents who are buried in the Jewish cemetery in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, nowadays Zimbabwe

Born: 6 June 1916 in Que Que (now Kwekwe) in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe)

The family lived in Que Que as his father was a storekeeper there (Southern Rhodesia voting register 1920-22)

Hebrew name: Zorach son of Baruch

Occupation: Civil engineer

Siblings

• Jeanette Ruth Loewenson (1915 - 1970) married Solly Lazarus in Bulawayo, Rhodesia on 7 July 1935
• Cecily Rosline (Cissie) Loewenson (1919 - 1999) married Joseph (Joe) Lazarus (1917 - 1997)
• Louis Jack Loewenson (1921 - 1944) married Joyce Hughes (1925 - ) in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales in October - December 1943

Sergeant Louis Jack Loewenson was a 22-year-old Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Flight Engineer on an overnight night bombing mission to Berlin on January 2 1944. Serving with 100 Squadron, he was among the crew of an Avro Lancaster III JB549 that failed to return from the raid. No trace of the plane or its seven crew were ever found. His son David Louis Loewenson was born, after his death, in (July - September) 1944. His widow later married Clifford John Townley Ingham and their son, James Ingham, was born in 1954

Because his remains were never recovered or identified, Louis has no known grave. He is officially commemorated on Panel 233 of the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England, which honours Commonwealth air forces personnel lost without trace during World War II (Commonwealth War Graves Commission)

Sidney's Military Service

Sonny enlisted with the British Army, Corps of Royal Engineers, on 3 April 1940, service number 167272 as a Lance Corporal. He was made a 2nd Lieutenant on 18 June 1940 and was a War Substantive Lieutenant when captured in Crete on 5 June 1941 and became a prisoner of war (POW)

Sonny was created a 2nd Lieutenant on 18 June 1940 (Supplement to the London Gazette, 11 February 1941, p. 819)

Extract from the British Army casualty lists where Sonny, previously listed as missing, is now confirmed to be a Prisoner of War as well as a subsequent entry updating his rank. W/Lt is a War Substantive Lieutenant - during war time, if an officer held a temporary or acting higher rank for a specific period (usually a few months), that promotion was officially locked in as "War Substantive"

Sonny's ex-prisoner of war document (click on document to enlarge) which he completed on 16 May 1945. He was incarcerated at 

1. Salonika Transit Camp (June to August 1941)
2. Oflag XC (A German POW camp located in Lübeck) (August - October 1941)
3. Oflag V1-B (A German POW camp exclusively for officers located in Warburg) (October 1941 - September 1942)
4. Oflag VII-B (A German POW camp for officers located in Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany) (September 1942 - August 1944)
5. Oflag V-A (A German POW camp for officers located in  Weinsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany) (August 1944 - April 1945)
6. Stalag VII-A (A German POW camp in Moosburg, Germany) (till 29 April 1945)

Sonny returned to the Rhodesian Forces on 26 August 1945 (Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 October 1945, p. 5055)

Marriage: Leah (Lee) Morris on 5 December 1954 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Lee was 33  and Sonnyy 38

Marriage certificate for Lee and Sonny who were married in the Parkview Greenside synagogue, Johannesburg on 5 December 1954

Children

Their first child was born in 1955 when Sonny was 39 and Lee 33 years old. Their second and last child was born in 1957 when Sonny was 41 and Lee 36 years old 

• Barry Loewenson 1955 -
• Rene Loewenson 1957 -

Electoral Registers

1939

In the 1939 electoral register Sidney is a civil engineer living at Umshandinge Dam, Fort Victoria, Rhodesia

1945

In the 1945 and 1946/8 electoral registers, Sidney is a civil engineer living at 18 Gifford Avenue, North End, Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Biography

LOEWENSON, Sydney William. B.Sc. (Eng) FRhod. I.E. M.R.I.M. M.I.W.P.C. Born Que Que, Rhodesia, 6th June, 1916, son of late Benny and Annie Loewenson. Educated Milton School, Bulawayo, University of Cape Town. Secretary of Water Development for The Rhodesian Government. Member Salisbury Hebrew Congregation, Salisbury Zionist Organisation, committee member Mashonaland Maccabi. 1962-64 Chairman Midlands Branch Rhodesian Institution of Engineers, 1964-68 Hon. Treasurer Rhodesian Institution of Engineers, 1972-76 Chairman, Rhodesian National Committees (a) International Commission on Large Dams and (b) International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage. Served in World War Il 1939-1945 Royal Engineers, Palestine, Egypt, Crete, Prisoner of War, Germany. Married Lee Morris, 5th December, 1954. One son, one daughter. Member Alexandra Bowling Club. Recreations: Bowls, Tennis. Add: 11 Laurie Road, Milton Park, Salisbury. Private Bag, 7712, Causeway, Salisbury. (South African Jewish Yearbook, 1967/8)

Death

1 November 1984 (6th Cheshvan 5745) in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, age 68. He was buried in the Jewish cemetery there

Tombstone for Sonny. "In loving memory of Sidney William [Loewenson]. 6.6.1916 - 1.11.1984. Deeply mourned and sadly missed by his beloved wife and children. May his soul be bound in the bond of eternal life [abbr.]."

Hebrew translation: "Here is buried / A wholehearted and upright man / Zorach son of Baruch / Departed on the 6th day of Cheshvan 5745 / May his soul be bound in the bind of the living"

In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM. LOEWENSON, Sidney William. Sadly missed by his loving son for four years. United soon in the days of the Moshiach. (The Australian Jewish Times⁩, 21 October 1988)

Residences

In 1945 Sidney is listed as living with his parents at 18 Gifford Avenue, North End, Bulawayo, Rhodesia

In 1968 Sidney and Lee are living at 11 Laurie Road, Milton Park, Salisbury, Rhodesia

Eva Abrahamson (1916 - 2001)

Eva Abrahamson is the sister of Dorothy Sophia Abrahamson, the 2nd wife of my maternal grandfather Marcus Levin. Abrahamson family HERE

Parents: Louis Abrahamson (1877 - 1957) and Rachel (Ettie) Joseph (1881 - 1951)

Tombstones for Eva's parents, Louis and Ettie. They are both buried in the Rainsough Jewish cemetery, Manchester, England

Born: 2 February 1916 in Liverpool, England

Occupation: Medical doctor

Eva enrolled as a medical student at the Victoria University of Manchester on 4 October 1934

Dr Eva Clynes listed in the 1965 phone book as a physician at 10 Daneshill, Prestwich, Manchester, England. She both lived and had her surgery there

Engagement

The Jewish Chronicle - Aug 16 1940

MR. S. KLEIN AND DR. EVA ABRAHAMSON

The engagement is announced of Sol Klein, B.Sc., elder son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Klein, of 117, Polefield Road, Prestwich, to Eva Abrahamson, MB.. Ch.B., daughter of the Rev. L. and Mrs. Abrahamson, of 238, Gt. Clowes Street, Salford, 7

Married: Solomon Klein on (April - June) 1941 in Manchester, England. Eva and Solomon were both 25 years old. Solomon changed his surname by deed poll to Clynes in September 1943

Eva Abrahamson on her wedding day

Solomon changing his name by deed poll from Klein to Clynes on 15 September 1943

Children:

Their only child was born when Solomon was 27 and Eva  was 26

• Rona Gillian Clynes 1943 - 1991

Census details

1921 Census
Eva and her family are living at 14 Jessel Street, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Lancashire, England in a 6 roomed dwelling. In the household are her father, Louis Abrahamson, age 44 years old and a shochet (Jewish butcher) for the Manchester shechita Board, her mother, Etti Abrahamson, age 40 years old, Adaline, who is 17 years old, Annie, who is 15 years old, Dorothy who is 13, Daniel, who is 12 years old, Freda who is 10, Miriam who is 7 and Eva who is 5





1939 Register

In the 1939 register Eva is living with her family at 238 Great Cheetham Street, Manchester, England. Living with her is her father Louis, a shochet (butcher), her mother Ettie and her sisters Dorothy, Anne and Adeline. Her occupation is given as a medical student

Biographical information

Born 13 February 1918 in Upper Canning Street died 200. She went to Mansfield Street school Ardwick - part time as building shared with London road school post war. Grecian Street school - one of youngest girls to get scholarship to Pendleton High school. Qualified as a medical doctor in 1938 and did a post graduate year in the Skin hospital, Quay Street, Manchester - worked under 3 of the most respected skin specialists of that time. During the war Eva worked in the Eccles and Patricroft hospital. She married in 1941 before her husband Sol Klein was sent abroad. She went to live with her in-laws in Cuckoo Lane Prestwich - rented house' In-laws left her in house - scandal in paper Majors wife won't leave house. Eventually a man who lived in Daneshill whose late wife had been a patient of hers and who had read all the nasty bits in paper offered her his house. Eva lived in Daneshill till she died and had her GP surgery there. Her daughter Rona was born 17 November 1943.

In 1971 Eva and Sol were the mayor and mayoress of Prestwich. Sol taught chemistry at Manchester Grammar School, becoming head of department! He died in September 2002 in Maurice Fineberg House. Rona went into teaching. Worked in the prison service and became HMI for North West prison service. She died young from Ovarian cancer.

(Information supplied by her nephew Geoffrey on the Ancestry website)

Death
20 April 2001 in Stockport, Manchester, England, age 85

Obituary

Death of former mayoress

Lancashire Telegraph 4th May 2001

A FAMILY doctor and former mayoress of Prestwich has died aged 85.

Mrs Eva Clynes (nee Abrahamson) was a doctor in Prestwich for 50 years and was still seeing patients up until her sudden death on April 20.

After graduating from Manchester University she set up a surgery in the home she shared with her husband, Sol, and late daughter Rona, in Daneshill, Prestwich. It grew into one of the largest NHS practices in Manchester.

Mr Clynes (85) said: "Eva ran an old-fashioned surgery where patients would just turn up and be seen the same day, not three days later as it is nowadays.

Dr Clynes was well-known in the area for her love of hats. Her husband said she would never leave for an appointment without being "properly attired in hat and gloves".

Dr Clynes leaves two grandchildren and two great granddaughters

Residence

In the 1939 register Eva is living with her family at 238 Great Cheetham Street, Manchester, England. The property appears to no longer exist, having been demolished and replaced by a block of units

Eva and her family lived at 10 Daneshill, Prestwich, Manchester, England. She had her surgery there as well

Benjamin Backrack (1916 - 1991)

Benjamin Backrack, born Bachrach, is the husband of Marjorie Wise, my maternal 4th cousin 1x removed. Rosenberg family tree Here. Benjamin had changed his name from Bachrach to Backrack by September 1939

Parents: Marks Bachrach (1884 - ?) and Lily Bakerman (1889 - ?)

Born: 14 October 1916 in Manchester, England

Hebrew name: Benjamin, son of Mordechai

Married:  Marjorie Wise in Manchester, England in (October - December) 1946

Census details

1939 Register

Benjamin is age 22 and living at 9 D'Arblay Street, Soho,  London, England. His occupation is listed as a kitchen porter

Business

In 1955 Benjamin was listed (London Gazette), 15 April 1955, p. 2239 in a bankruptcy matter as the proprietor of a cafe and snack bar in Manchester and his address was given as 292 Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester

Death

11 January 1991 in Manchester, Lancashire, England, at 74 years of age. Buried in the Crumpsall Jewish cemetery, Manchester, Lancashire, England

Tombstone for Benjamin Backrack. 

In loving memory of Benjamin Backrack who passed away 11th January 1981

Dearly Loved And Sadly Missed / By His Devoted Sister Sister-In-Law / Nephews Nieces Great-Nephews / Great-Nieces Relatives And Friends / SHALOM

Hebrew translation "R'Benyamin son of R'Mordechai / Passed away 26 Tevet 5751 / May his soul be bound in the bond of life"

Probate

Benjamin Backrack probate 7 May 1991. His place of residence was 2 Cumbria Court, Prestwich, Manchester, England and the value of his probate was not exceeding  £115,000

Residence

In 1955 Benjamín and Marjorie are living at 152 Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, England

At the time of his death in 1991 Benjamin was living at 2 Cumbria Court, Prestwich, Manchester, England

Wilfrid Wise (1916 - 1961)

Wilfrid Wise, also spelt at Wilfred, is my maternal 4th cousin 1x removed. Rosenberg family tree Here

Parents: Philip Wise (1889 - 1957) and Fanny Leah Jackson (1892 - 1968)

Born: (October - December) 1916

Hebrew name: Ze'ev, son of Feivel

Census details

1921

Wilfrid's parents, Fanny and Phillip are living at 15 Kings Close, Manchester, England. Philip is a ladies tailor age 32, Fanny, age 29 and their child is Wilfred age 4 years and 7 months. Living with them is Fanny's mother, Betsy Rebecca Jackson, age 49, born in Valkavist, Russia

Death

26 January 1961 at Blackpool, Lancashire, England, at 45 years of age. Buried in the Blackpool Jewish cemetery, Lancashire, England

Tombstone for Wilfrid Wise. In loving memory of Philip Wise, who died JAN 26 1961 aged 45 years. Deeply missed by his mother, sisters and brother-in-law

Hebrew translation: " Ze'ev Wise, died 9th Sh'vat 5721 – בט' בשבט תשכ'א"

Probate

Wilfred Wise probate 18 October 1961. His place of residence was given as 23 Dewhurst Avenue, Marton, Blackpool and he died at the Springfield Hospital, Crumpsall, Manchester, England and the value of his effects was £344 3s 1d. His beneficiary was his mother Fanny

Residence

At the time of his death in 1961 Wilfrid was living at 23 Dewhurst Avenue, Marton, Blackpool, England