Sgt.Major Mick Goldstein, Royal Artillery

Discussion in 'Veteran Accounts' started by Ron Goldstein, Sep 23, 2011.

  1. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    One of the penalties of reaching a certain age is the unavoidable fact that along the way one suffers the loss of both family members and life-long friends.

    One such person who fulfilled both roles in my life was my late brother Mick and I remember writing about him on the BBC site on the 15th of November, 2005 on the very day on which he passed away:: BBC - WW2 People's War - Sgt.Major Mick Goldstein, Royal Fusiliers and Jewish Brigade

    Yesterday morning I was at Mick’s widows house, where one of his daughters was also visiting and we were looking at various folders concerning his wartime service.

    I suddenly realised, with much interest, that I was looking at some of his memorabilia for the first time.

    On reflection, Mick had an amazing and interesting career and so I have decided open a thread in his name and post photos and diaries as and when I have had a chance to analyse and scan them.

    The first two photos show Mick as an Infantry Corporal in 1940 and the second shows him at Woolwich Gunnery School waiting to be posted to India. Mick is first row, far right
     

    Attached Files:

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  2. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    A good one Ron, I noticed he was the handsome one of the two of you :)

    A questions, which might have been asked before I know a lot of Jewish Arnhem veterans worn their orginal dog tag/info with the risk of being taken out as a Jew, and most probably being murdered, how about you and your brother
     
  3. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Philip

    A questions, which might have been asked before I know a lot of Jewish Arnhem veterans worn their original dog tag/info with the risk of being taken out as a Jew, and most probably being murdered, how about you and your brother

    As you are probably aware I was one of five serving bothers.

    Three of us, namely Jack, Mick & I, all chose to keep our surnames in the Forces despite fairly obvious concerns regarding the chance of capture by the Germans.

    I can only speak for myself when I say my decision never really bothered me, even when I was in action, although in my earlier days in the CMF I was mainly serving in a defensive role.

    As time progressed and I found myself in the 4th QOH and more in contact with the enemy I was obviously more at risk but I can say without even thinking about it that it did not bother me.

    Mick also appeared to be of the same mind and I can't remember him saying anything to the contrary.

    When dear Jack was shot down over Nuremberg he was identified as being Jewish by the Germans by his identity disks when they were trying to bully Ted Hull into making admissions. The story, as told by his son, is here:
    BBC - WW2 People's War - The night my father was killed in action

    It was not until I was in Austria guarding an SS Div that I had a chance to pose a fairly obvious question regarding the risk I faced.
    BBC - WW2 People's War - The War Ends in Italy, 2nd May 1945

    Ron
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The first two photos show Mick as an Infantry Corporal in 1940


    Ron, Did he go to France in 1939/40?
     
  5. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Andy

    No, as an valued gunnery instructor he was kept in the UK until he volunteered for the newly formed Jewish Brigade.

    Ron
     
  6. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    Allright thanks for that info Ron
     
  7. Rob Dickers

    Rob Dickers 10th MEDIUM REGT RA

    Seems to be quite a lot of Jewish chaps in the R/Fus in 1940, probably only natural being a City of London Regt.
    Lots of refrences in the 16th Batt RF diaries to regular Jewish services being held for the men.
    13, R/Fus battalions converted to Artillery for the war.
    Best
    Rob
     
  8. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Mick went to a Jewish Brigade reunion in March 1996.

    That's him, 2nd from left

    Also shown page from his paybook & his "Reference"
     

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  9. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Amongst Mick's memoirs are diary entries.

    On Sunday April 1st 1945 it says:

    Could hear tanks moving- they had just crossed the Baily Bridge moving towards the Polish sector.

    My mob's Rgtl diaries of the same date say:
    Regimental Diaries:
    1st April
    4TP A Sqn carried 43rd Royal Marines Commando in Op Roast and were extremely successful, 43rd Commando being responsible for 420 of the 1000 POW taken by the Commando Brigade. One Kangaroo hit by 50 mm but was recovered. No casualties

    It was quite on the cards that the tanks Mick heard was my mob as at the time I could see his Tac signs fastened to the trees just down the road from where we were but, try as I could, my Tank commander wouldn't let me out of his sight until it was too late :(
     
  10. gunbunnyB/3/75FA

    gunbunnyB/3/75FA Senior Member

    sir, once again i am in awe of your family.
     
  11. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Diary entry 18th Jan 1945
     

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  12. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    Ron,

    One really good thing about many of the reminisces you make is that you are able to make use of diaries, personal letters, photographs and other documents dating from the war years. These are excellent primary sources of evidence.

    It is a great thing that you and your relatives are willing to share this knowledge and the wisdom of experience with others. Thank you once again and keep up the good work!
     
  13. Combover

    Combover Guest

    A very moving story about your Brother's death.

    So bloody close.
     
  14. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    I have always suscribed to the view that a person is not truly dead until his name is no longer mentioned.

    Therefore, no apologies offered when showing this pic of Olympic & Strictly Come Dancing star Louis Smith with his partner Flavia Cacace and his agent Gab Stone.

    Gab Stone is Mick's grandson and a lovely lad too !

    Ron
     

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  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Ron , you celebrity name dropper .
    Good to see Lewis win on Saturday.
    Did like his 'show dance' , something different.
    :)
     

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