Object numberM2018/057:002
DescriptionLetter from Stanley Levy written to his mother Mrs. M Levy. It begins on 14 May 1941 and he writes again on the 16 May 1941. In the first correspondence he tells her of the weather and that they are all driven mad by dust and flies. Stanley speaks of swimming in the Mediterranean and of giving up three stripes to avoid a transfer to B company. The second letter is his experience of Alexandria and it's inhabitants; it describes his first encounter with an enemy plane.
Stanley Paul Levy was born 20 November 1919. He worked for Jewish firm in Johannesburg, South Africa, called Gundelfingers. Within days of Britain’s declaration of war, Stanley and friends enlisted, enrolling with the Transvaal Horse Artillery. They attending weekly parades at Milner Park; Stanley was soon notified he was to attend training for the Medical Corps, conscripted to the Hygiene section. On 3 June 1940, he was called up for full-time service, stationed at Zonderwater Camp, assigned to the SAMC hygiene section with the infantry regiment Imperial Light Horse. Stanley disliked his role as a medic and after appealing to his superiors, he was granted a transfer to Imperial Light Horse, in A Company.
Stanley’s company was aboard the Dempo, a former Dutch East India Liner, making its way to the Middle East. They disembarked in the Gulf of the Suez and were transported by truck to Alexandria. Eventually, they were sent to El Alamein.
In April 1942, the platoon experienced the full impact of the Western Dessert Campaign. In Bardia, they were bombarded with German artillery fire and Stuka dive bombers. They were then sent to Sollam (Sollum) in Egypt and then west to the front near Tobruk, ending up at Derna in Libya. Eventually, the company was moved to the new front at Al-Gazala; shelling and air attacks were relentless. On 6th of June 1942, Stanley was retrieving something from his kit when he was hit by an exploding shell only a few feet away. The shrapnel went right through his leg and severed the nerves. He was taken to the docks in Tobruk and shipped to No. 6 South African Hospital in Alexandria. Eventually, he was loaded onto a hospital ship, the Amra, and transported back to South Africa. It was a long, complicated recovery. Eventually, Stanley was declared a non-combatant and assigned to clerical duties at Defence Headquarters in Pretoria.
After the war, Stanley married Sybil Friedland; they had three daughters. He moved to Australia in 1996. Stanley was a member of NAJEX and attended Anzac parades every year until his death 26 June, 2006.
Stanley Paul Levy was born 20 November 1919. He worked for Jewish firm in Johannesburg, South Africa, called Gundelfingers. Within days of Britain’s declaration of war, Stanley and friends enlisted, enrolling with the Transvaal Horse Artillery. They attending weekly parades at Milner Park; Stanley was soon notified he was to attend training for the Medical Corps, conscripted to the Hygiene section. On 3 June 1940, he was called up for full-time service, stationed at Zonderwater Camp, assigned to the SAMC hygiene section with the infantry regiment Imperial Light Horse. Stanley disliked his role as a medic and after appealing to his superiors, he was granted a transfer to Imperial Light Horse, in A Company.
Stanley’s company was aboard the Dempo, a former Dutch East India Liner, making its way to the Middle East. They disembarked in the Gulf of the Suez and were transported by truck to Alexandria. Eventually, they were sent to El Alamein.
In April 1942, the platoon experienced the full impact of the Western Dessert Campaign. In Bardia, they were bombarded with German artillery fire and Stuka dive bombers. They were then sent to Sollam (Sollum) in Egypt and then west to the front near Tobruk, ending up at Derna in Libya. Eventually, the company was moved to the new front at Al-Gazala; shelling and air attacks were relentless. On 6th of June 1942, Stanley was retrieving something from his kit when he was hit by an exploding shell only a few feet away. The shrapnel went right through his leg and severed the nerves. He was taken to the docks in Tobruk and shipped to No. 6 South African Hospital in Alexandria. Eventually, he was loaded onto a hospital ship, the Amra, and transported back to South Africa. It was a long, complicated recovery. Eventually, Stanley was declared a non-combatant and assigned to clerical duties at Defence Headquarters in Pretoria.
After the war, Stanley married Sybil Friedland; they had three daughters. He moved to Australia in 1996. Stanley was a member of NAJEX and attended Anzac parades every year until his death 26 June, 2006.
Production date 1941-05-14 - 1941-05-16
SubjectJews in military, injuries, medals
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- All 6 pages width: 123.00 mm
height: 185.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Irene Dusheiko