History
From the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, the Riel Rebellion, the War of 1812 and more famously World War I and II: Canadain history is riddled with combat. The battles we have won and lost have become lessons we are still learning. Lessons in courage, sacrifice and what it means to fight for the greater good.
The Beginning of Our Service
Jewish military service can be traced back to the earliest days of Canada as a colony under British rule. Little is known about this early involvement. We know that commissary officer Aaron Hart along with three other Jewish officers enlisted in Wolf's Army in New York. They accompanied the British Regiment to Amherst, Montreal and are officially the first Jews to settle in Canada. In the same year, 1759, Sir Alexander Schomberg commanded the ship, which covered Wolf's landing in Quebec at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham. From then on, we became a notable presence in other battles such as the war in 1812-1814 and the rebellion in 1837.
World War I
Jews rallied in strong numbers to enlist for WWI. There were two cases of special all Jewish sections, one of which was the Jewish Reinforcement Company under the command of Captain Freedman in Montreal. This section recruited and trained over 400 men. 4,000 men enlisted for active service - 100 sacrificed their lives - and 84 are decorated.
World War II
In the years leading up to the Second World War, our numbers in the armed forces grew. We enlisted in rural towns and bustling city centres - we were doctors, lawyers, students, merchants and tailors from all walks of life. Recruitment offices were opened in Jewish districts across the country, despite prevalent attitudes of anti-Semitism at the time. Our soldiers were spread throughout the regiments, battalions and units of all three services: the army, air force and navy. In 1939, a total of 16,883 Jewish Canadians enlisted. Take into consideration that the total Jewish population at this time was approximately 167,000.
Notable Personnel
Today, you can find us in all branches of the Canadian Military. We are women, men, children, brothers, sisters, mothers and daughters. Those of us no longer on active duty are committed to the betterment of Canadian society as police officers, teachers and other roles as civil servants.
We are devided into different branches across the country. For more information on the activities of specific branches, please visit our news section.
Ace aviator who honed important techniques for rocket attacks on ships. Was awarded the DFC for saving a wingman and participated in the sinking of 11 enemy ships. Enlisted in Royal Canadian Air Force on September 10, 1939. Born in Montreal, he attended McGill University and downed a German flying boat on his first sortie.
Highest decorated non-commissioned officer in the Canadian Armoured Corps.
Awarded the military medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal for actions in which he captured 25 enemy troops and, on one occasion and with the aid of 2 others, captured 150 more after destroying an enemy machine gun position. Born in Montreal, he joined the Royal Canadian Grenadier Guard in 1939.
The only Queens Own Rifles officer who landed on D-Day and was still with the unit at War’s end. Highly decorated Canadian officer who went on to be a brigade commander in the Israel War of Independence. Earned promotion from private to Major with distinguished service.
He also fought in early battles in northern France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, including bloody battles at Caen, Falaise, and the Battle of the Scheldt Estuary that led to securing the port of Antwerp.
Distinguished himself as a liaison officer with the Dutch underground. Responsible for saving hundreds of allied troops in enemy territory. Born in 1923, he studied at Queens University. He commanded transport for the 1st Parachute Battalion and participated in the Battle of Arnhem. He would escape capture to aid the Dutch underground and eventually re-join the allies.
Distinguished officer who, along with his brother Leo, were the only Jewish brothers to be awarded the Military Medal. Enlisted in the Canadian army in 1942. In 1943, he was promoted to Sergeant and served in the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in the Allied Expeditionary Force. He was the only soldier in his regiment to serve and fight at Caen, Channel Ports, Brussels, Antwerp, Falaise Gap, the Schelde and the final campaigns in Holland and Northern Germany.
Cohen fought with the Canadian Railway Troops in Europe during World War I He also saw fighting at the Western Front, especially during the Third Battle of Ypres. After the War, he resettled in Canada.
He would later go on to become of Sun Yat-sen main protectors and advisors, shadowing the Chinese leader to conferences and war zones. After one battle where he was nicked by a bullet, Cohen started carrying a second gun – this is the origin or his nickname, coined by western journalists.
Cohen also trained Sun's small armed forces to box and shoot, and after Sun’s death he went on to serve with his predecessors. Cohen led a storied life of exploration and travel, forming close ties to China and Sun’s movement.
Today, you can find us in all branches of the Canadian Military. We are women, men, children, brothers, sisters, mothers and daughters. Those of us no longer on active duty are committed to the betterment of Canadian society as police officers, teachers and other roles as civil servants.
We are devided into different branches across the country. For more information on the activities of specific branches, please visit our news section.
