Born in 1927, Ken Smith was an evacuee who just missed the end of WWII but served for four years in the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars, in Italy and Germany, as the allies began rebuilding Europe and staking out the Cold War. 

We discussed his military career, his childhood in Notting Hill, his evacuation in Wiltshire, and his experiences in the film industry, which included mixing with many movie stars.

After the film industry, Ken became a successful businessman and has been a long support of AJEX.

Our host, Dan Fox, once again builds a special bond with our guest in this touching discussion across the generations.

Huge thanks to Ken's son Adam for his support and help in making this episode happen.

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Ruth Brook Klauber, born in Frankfurt in 1924, was just nine years-old when her family fled to Britain following Hitler’s rise to power. Now aged 101, she speaks with us on 'For Honour's Sake' where we also had the honour of presenting her with her UK War Medal and the UK Defence Medal in recognition of her service with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) during the Second World War.

Ruth's decision to enlist came in 1941. She rejected role's as a cook or batwoman, and opted to train as a flight mechanic.

With our host, Dan Fox, she relives her family's flight from Germany, her integration into British society as a teenager, and her eventual wartime service - as well as what she did after the war.  An episode and discussion we will cherish.

We also give one of our younger AJEX members, Chloe, an opportunity to ask some questions as the end!  Do not miss out on that.

Huge thanks to Ruth's daughter Sue for her support and help making this episode happen.

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

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AJEX National Chair Dan Fox is joined by Henny Franks at Jewish Care’s Holocaust Survivors’ Centre.

Henny was born Henriette Grünbaum in Cologne in 1927. Aged 15, she escaped to London on the Kindertransport with her 12 year old sister. Her father was to die in Sobibor but her mother went into hiding in Italy, Switzerland and Belgium. 

By 1942, Henny was Pte Greenbaum of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, driving trucks and working in munitions.

They talked about her childhood, her ATS service, and her life after the war, including reuniting with her mother in Brussels.  At the end of the episode, we also presented her with a reproduction of Abram Games’s famous ATS recruitment poster.

In 2023, Dan presented Henny her medals from the war, which she never claimed at the time, on the occasion of her 100th birthday: the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-45 - together with her HM Armed Forces Veteran Badge, which she now proudly wears.

In this 80th year of commemorating VE and VJ Day, this episode is especially poignant. Thank you Henny and Jewish Care for making this special interview happen.

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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

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AJEX National Chair Dan Fox is joined by Royal Engineers veteran Jamie Cooper-Morris and his wife Amba (with a guest appearance from Cooper-Morris Junior!) at their home in Kent.  They talk about Jamie's extensive operational army career, and his second calling in the Ambulance Service, a career introduced to him by Amba. They met through the Kent Army Cadet Force, in which they both serve as Adult Instructors.  

We also discuss the effect of their careers on Jamie’s and Amba's mental health (with recounting that some listeners might find upsetting) and their experience of veterans' mental health pathway Op Courage. You can access more information about it here:

Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS

This is a story of the British Army in its busiest decades, as well as a family dedicated to public service. Jamie and Amba also talk about the discovery of his Jewish background, the establishment of his (and Amba's) Jewish identity, and how this is a key part of their family and community life.

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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

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In Part II of our second episode, AJEX National Chair Dan Fox continues the conversation with Chelsea In-Pensioner Barrie Davey. Barrie chronicles his military service - and finding, and his attachment to, Judaism. 

We also get a look into life at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, and we are enormously grateful to them for their support in making this episode happen.

Barrie is a regular at AJEX events and to quote Dan: 'You'll know Barrie, he's in the Red Coat.'

Don't forget to listen to Part I where you can find out more about Barrie's childhood and entry into military service.

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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

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In our second episode, AJEX National Chair Dan Fox is joined by Chelsea In-Pensioner, Barrie Davey.  In this first of a two-part episode, Barrie talks about his early life growing up as World War II draws to a close, and life in post-war Britain.  It was an often idyllic but sometimes traumatic childhood (with recounting some listeners might find upsetting).

This is a record of social history not to be missed.

Don't forget to listen to Part II, where Dan and Barrie discuss his long and worldwide experiences in the Merchant Navy, RAF and Royal Army Veterinary Corps.

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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

Our social media accounts can be found here:

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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

Our social media accounts can be found here:

• Instagram: @ajex_jma
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For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

To donate: https://www.ajex.org.uk/donate

Our social media accounts can be found here:

• Instagram: @ajex_jma
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In our first ever episode, AJEX National Chair Dan Fox is joined by Daniel Berke, author of 'Captured Behind Japanese Lines'. It is a story he felt compelled to tell: of his grandfather's experiences as a Wingate Chindit and Prisoner of War in Burma, in World War II.

Frank Berkovitch was a Jewish tailor from Manchester, thrown into the most challenging and terrifying of circumstances. In researching his book, Daniel retraced Frank's steps through India and Burma, to reveal a story of great courage, resilience and ingenuity.

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Purchase 'Captured Behind Japanese Lines' at https://amzn.to/3RAFBTt

For more information on AJEX: https://www.ajex.org.uk/

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