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The Battle of Waterloo

by Phoebe Newman, Museum Administrator

Our recent partnership with the Jewish Military Museum has made us think in more depth about Jewish military history. A few
weeks ago it was the bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, so I had a rummage around to find some objects in our collection that reflect the Jewish
involvement in the battles.

The Battle of Waterloo was fought two hundred years ago
this summer.  It was a pivotal turning
point in European History that heralded a period of stability and a new
approach to European diplomacy after more than twenty years of conflict across
Europe which had begun with the French Revolution. It marked the defeat of
Emperor Napoleon and the end of France’s domination of mainland Europe.

imageTrade card for Abraham Joseph, slopman (purveyor of naval clothing) from Plymouth

The Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars also contributed to a
changing attitude towards Jews across Europe when historically many had been
marginalised in ghettos. Napoleon had sympathy for the Jews and gave them equal
rights leading to their liberation across France. 

British law had not confined
Jews to specific areas following their return to the country in the mid-17th century, and the Jewish immigrants had settled largely in London. By 1743 the
Jewish population of London had reached 7,000 people. Wealthier Jews, uncomfortable
with the steady influx of poor immigrants, encouraged the less established to depart
from London in exchange for a small loan to ‘peddle their wares’. 

Many relocated
to the naval ports of Plymouth, Portsmouth and Chatham where commercial connections
were rising, and traders had the opportunity to sell to seamen. Jewish traders
took the chance to sell aboard warships, often as the sailors on board were not
given permission to go ashore for fear they would desert. Nevertheless the
sailors often treated these pedlars very badly, viewing them as figures of fun.

imageA comic sheet introducing a Jewish man (apparently a naval supplier) and pickled pork

In 1789 France was thrown into turmoil by the Revolution.
Britain joined the war in 1793, demanding France gave up multiple territories
it had annexed in Europe and beyond. By this time Jews were still largely treated
as social outcasts in British society, but were more inclined to fight than
ever before as they were allowed to follow their religion under the protection
of law. 

Solomon Hirschel, the first ever British-born Chief Rabbi, encouraged
Jews to enlist in the Navy. He gained permission for Jews to stay away from
church parades and to take their oaths on the Book of Leviticus instead of the
New Testament.  

imageEtrog box presented by Chief Rabbi Solomon Hirschell (Herschel) on the wedding of Aron Joseph of the Great Synagogue

For many Jews, joining the navy was considered an
‘opportunity’ to make an impression and gain acceptance. Young Jews saw the
navy as a chance to break away from their impoverished background, and
volunteers were tempted by generous bounties. 

However, despite monetary encouragements, there weren’t
enough people to complete the Navy’s need for sailors. Following the passing of
a parliamentary act in 1795, local magistrates were required to fill their
manning quotas and began to enlist various unsavoury characters to encourage
men to serve in the Royal Navy. 

This often took the form of impressment or
‘press-ganging’, taking men into the Navy by force and often without notice.
Only those considered to be ‘users of the sea’ could be lawfully pressed, but this
didn’t prevent British Jews from becoming victims of press gangs.

These were
widespread in the sea ports where many Jewish communities had formed, and this
meant that Jews became targets. For example Israel and Benjamin Hart, strolling
conjurors, were pressed after they went aboard a man-of-war in 1800 but
apparently became brave fighting men.  

While the Admiralty were not consistent in accepting Jews
into the Navy, it was possible to escape service by declaring oneself Jewish.
Benjamin Moses was discharged from service aboard the HMS Victory per order of
Lord Nelson. Many, however, continued to serve reflecting their wish to fight
for Britain, whether it was for monetary or patriotic reasons, or an underlying
desire to gain acceptance as British citizens.

imageThis book of Hebrew odes, written between 1806 and 1830, includes one commemorating the death of Nelson, which is on display our History Gallery

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