Swansea Hebrew Congregation - WW1 - Oystermouth Cemetery

In the Jewish section of Oystermouth Cemetery, a memorial stands in honour of nine Jewish soldiers who gave their lives during the First World War. Originally placed at the Goat Street Synagogue, later moved to Ffynone Road Synagogue, the memorial now rests at Oystermouth Cemetery, ensuring their sacrifice is not forgotten.

This article remembers the men named on the memorial.

Lance Corporal Joseph CLOMPUS – Rifle Brigade, 2^nd Battalion (formerly London Regiment)

Early Life

Joseph Clompus was born in 1886 in Russia, the son of Moses and Rose Clompus. Although Russian-born, he gave his place of birth as Swansea when he enlisted. 

1901 Census

In 1901 the Clompus family were living at 19 Neath Road, Swansea. The head of the household, Moses, aged 54, worked as a pedlar hawker. He and his wife Rose, 44, were both born in Russia. Their children included Leah (16), Joseph (15), Harris (14), Rachael (12), and Sophia (10), all Russia-born, along with younger Swansea-born children Sidney (7), Samuel (5), and Josephine (4). The surname was recorded in the census as Columbus.

1911 Census

By 1911 the family had moved to 33 Kings Road, Canton, Cardiff. Moses, now 65, was no longer able to work, while Rose was listed as 54. Their daughter Leah, 27, was married and present with her three children: Rita Zausmer (6), Lydia Zausmer (2), and baby Harold Zausmer (4 months). Joseph, 25, worked as a picture frame maker, while Harry (24) was an office clerk. Rashel (17), Sidney (17), also a picture frame maker, Sam (16), a shop assistant, and Josephine (16) were also at home. The family surname was recorded as Clompers.

Military Service

Joseph enlisted at Finsbury, Middlesex, initially with the London Regiment, later transferring to the Rifle Brigade, 2^nd Battalion.

Death

He was killed in action on 31 July 1917, during the opening day of the Battle of Passchendaele.

Burial / Memorial

Lance Corporal Joseph Clompus
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Credit - Findagrave

Joseph has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Legacy

His name is inscribed on the Swansea Hebrew Congregation memorial at Oystermouth Cemetery, preserving his memory alongside eight other Jewish men.

Private Benjamin COLLINS – Grenadier Guards, 1^st Battalion

Early Life

Benjamin Collins was born in Borough, London SE.

Military Service

He enlisted at Stratford, Essex, and served with the Grenadier Guards, 1^st Battalion.

Private Benjamin Collins 
Tyne Cot Memorial
Credit - Findagrave

Death

He was killed in action on 12 October 1917.

Burial / Memorial

He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Legacy

Benjamin’s name is honoured on the Swansea Hebrew Congregation memorial at Oystermouth Cemetery.

Private Morris JACKSON – Welsh Regiment, 6^th Battalion

Early Life

1911 Census

Morris Jackson was born in Russia, son of Israel and Ada Jackson. In 1911 the Jackson family were living at 3 Th Walk, Roath, Cardiff. The head of the household, Israel Jackson, aged 53, ran a picture-dealing business as an employer. His wife Ada was 52, and both parents and children were born in Russia. Their sons Louis (24), Benjamin (21), Morris (18), and Robert (16) all worked in the family business, while the youngest son Jack (11) was at school. The family also employed a servant, Kate Davies, aged 23.

Military Service

Morris served with the Welsh Regiment, 6^th Battalion.

Death

He died of wounds on 2 April 1916, aged 18.

Burial / Memorial

Morris is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

Legacy

His sacrifice is remembered in both France and Swansea, where his name appears on the Jewish war memorial.

Second Lieutenant Joel JACOBS – Yorkshire Hussars (Princess of Wales’ Own), 5^th Battalion

Early Life

Joel Jacobs was born in 1895, son of Michael and Pearl Jacobs of Ffynonfa, Park Drive, Swansea. 

1901 Census

In 1901 the Jacobs family were recorded at 53 Walter Road, Swansea. Michael Jacobs, aged 31, ran his own home furnishing business. His wife Pearlie, 27, lived there with their son Joel, aged 6. Also present were Michael’s brother Graham, 26, who was also in the furnishing trade, and his brother-in-law Albert Victor Goodman, 25, who assisted in the business. A nephew, Henry Barnett, aged 7, was also part of the household, along with a servant, Alice Vigers, aged 24.

1911 Census

By 1911 the family were still at 53 Walter Road. Michael, now 41, was listed as a furniture dealer, with his wife Selina Pearl, aged 38. Their son Joel, 15, was still at school, as was his younger brother Louis George, aged 8. Also present were their nephew Jacob Joel Manchester, 17, working as a furniture dealer, and two servants: Ida Poole (19) and Alice Vaughan (24).

Military Service

Joel was commissioned into the Yorkshire Hussars (Princess of Wales’ Own), 5^th Battalion.

Death

He was killed in action on 20 July 1916, aged 21, during the Battle of the Somme.

Second Lieutenant Joel Jacobs
La Laiterie Military Cemetery, Belgium
Credit - findagrave

Burial / Memorial

Joel is buried at La Laiterie Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Legacy

He is commemorated on the Oystermouth memorial and remembered as the son of a prominent Swansea family.

Private Hyman LEITZ – Royal Fusiliers, 11^th Battalion

Early Life

Hyman Leitz was born in 1894 in Neath, son of Herman and Golda (Gilda) Leitz, originally from Vilnow, Russia. 

1911 Census

In 1911 the Leitz family were living at 17 Eva Street, Neath. Herman Leitz, aged 44, worked as a clothes dealer, as did his wife Gilda, aged 42. Their son Hyman, 15, was also listed as a clothes dealer. Other children included Jacob (13), Abraham (13), Phoebe (8), Joseph (4), Edith (3), Rachael (3), and Reuben (1), all born in Neath. Also living at the address were David Leitz, 25, a carpenter, and his wife Edith, also 25, both born in Vilnow, Russia.

Military Service

Hyman served with the Royal Fusiliers, 11^th Battalion.

Private Hyman Leitz
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Credit - Findagrave

Death

He was killed in action on 10 August 1917, aged 23.

Burial / Memorial

He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Legacy

Hyman’s name is recorded on the Swansea Hebrew Congregation memorial, linking Neath’s Jewish community with Swansea’s.

Rifleman Solomon NEWMAN – King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 1/7^th Battalion

Early Life

Solomon Newman was born in Bristol in 1899, the son of Harris and Rebecca Newman of 26 Prince of Wales Road, London. He later lived in Swansea.

Military Service

He enlisted at Cockspur Street, Middlesex, joining the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 1/7^th Battalion.

Death

He was killed in action on 17 April 1918, aged 19.

Burial / Memorial

Solomon is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Legacy

Despite his young age, Solomon’s service and sacrifice are remembered in both Swansea and London.

Serjeant Reuben ORMAN – South Wales Borderers, 1^st Battalion

Early Life

Reuben Orman was born in Monmouthshire in 1888, son of Simon and Ester Orman, both Russian-born. 

1901 Census

In 1901 the Orman family were recorded at Cambrian House, Risca, Monmouthshire. The head of the household was Simon Orman, 43, a drapery traveller and shopkeeper, and his wife Ester, 40, who was also involved in the drapery trade. Their children, all locally born in Monmouthshire, included Hyman (18), a hawker; Bessie (16); Amy (15), a schoolteacher; Joseph (14); Reuben (12); Gerty A. (11); Jepha C. (9); Selina C. (7); and Sarah R. (5). A servant, Mary A. Sullivan, aged 15, was also part of the household.

Military Service

He served with the South Wales Borderers, 1^st Battalion.

Serjeant Reuben Orman
Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres
Credit - Findagrave

Death

Reuben was killed in action on 31 October 1914, aged 26, in the early months of the war.

Burial / Memorial

He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium.

Legacy

Though he left no known grave, his name endures on both the Ypres memorial and within Swansea’s Jewish community.

Private Joseph POMERANTZ – Leicestershire Regiment, 2^nd Battalion

Early Life

Joseph Pomerantz was born in London in 1882, son of Louis Pomerantz. 

1901 Census

In 1901 Joseph Pomerantz, aged 20, was living at 23 Baundo Street, Llangnwyd, the home of his brother Harris, aged 37, who ran his own shop. Harris’s wife Alice, 38, and their adopted daughter Annie (3) were also present, along with Joseph’s younger brother Reuben (22), who worked in the shop, and their father Louis (67). A boarder, Isaac (28), also a hawker, lived with them.. 

1911 Census

By 1911 Joseph had moved to Swansea, where, aged 29, he worked as a glazier. He lived with his Austrian-born wife Geniz (Eugenie) and their four children: Israel (9), Sarah (7), Leah (5), and Clara (2).

Military Service

He enlisted in the Leicestershire Regiment, 2^nd Battalion.

Private Joseph Pomerantz
Loos Memorial, France
Credit - Findagrave

Death

Joseph was killed in action on 25 September 1915, aged 33, during the Battle of Loos.

Burial / Memorial

He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

Legacy

Joseph left behind a wife and four children in Swansea. His sacrifice is permanently marked at Oystermouth Cemetery.

Private Joseph Jacob SELINE – Royal Fusiliers, 26^th Battalion

Early Life

Joseph Jacob Seline was born in Swansea in 1897, son of David and Rachel (Ray) Seline. 

1901 Census

In 1901 Joseph Seline, aged 4, was living with his family at 5 Oakland Terrace, Swansea. His father David Moses Seline, 33, worked as a solicitor, and his mother Ray (Rachel) was also 33. Their other children were Nathan (9), Nita (8), and Mervyn (6). A servant, Elizabeth Atkins, aged 24, also lived with the family. 

1911 Census

By 1911 the Seline family had moved to 1 Sketty Road, Swansea. David, 43, continued to work as a solicitor, while his wife Ray was also 43. Their children included Nibe (18), Mervyn (16), an apprentice motor engineer, and Joseph (16). A niece, Ethel Borgen, aged 15, was also living with them.

Military Service

He served with the Royal Fusiliers, 26^th Battalion.

Private Joseph Jacob Seline 
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
credit - Findagrave

Death

Joseph was killed in action between 4–10 October 1916, aged 19, during the Battle of the Somme.

Burial / Memorial

He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.

Legacy

As the youngest son of a professional Swansea family, Joseph’s name stands proudly among those honoured on the Jewish war memorial.

Closing Reflection

The nine men commemorated on the Swansea Hebrew Congregation memorial at Oystermouth Cemetery came from different backgrounds — some born in Swansea or nearby, others in London or abroad, their families arriving in South Wales as part of the wider Jewish migration of the late 19th century. Despite these varied beginnings, their stories share common threads: devotion to family, the pursuit of work and education, and ultimately, the call to serve in the First World War.

From the streets of Neath and Cardiff to the furniture shops of Walter Road and the picture framers of Canton, these men were part of the fabric of Jewish life in South Wales. Their service took them far from home to the battlefields of France and Belgium, where many fell in some of the war’s fiercest battles — Loos, the Somme, Passchendaele, and Ypres. Some were buried where they fell; others have no known grave; their names instead carved on the great memorials of Europe.

Today, their memory endures not only overseas but here in Swansea. The Oystermouth memorial ensures that their names are spoken, and their stories retold. For the Jewish community — and for Swansea as a whole — they stand as a reminder of the sacrifice made by ordinary men in extraordinary times. Their legacy is one of courage, service, and the enduring bonds between faith, family, and community.