Swansea Hebrew Congregation - WW2 - Oystermouth Cemetery

 

The Second World War memorial at Oystermouth Cemetery commemorates two brothers: Sydney and Harold Wald. Their lives and service reflect both a family tragedy and the contribution of Swansea’s Jewish community to the struggle against fascism.

Private Sydney WALD – South Wales Borderers, 1^st Brecknockshire Battalion

Early Life

Sydney Wald

Sydney Wald was born in Leeds in 1916, the eldest son of Samuel and Gertie Wald.

Family Background 

1911 Census

In the 1911 Census, Samuel Wald, Russian-born and recorded under the surname Vald, was living with his widowed mother Annie, aged 42, a tailoress of coats, at 150 Brown Yard, Leeds. Samuel, then 20, worked as a tailor. His siblings included Ceila (16), Rose (14), and Minnie (11), all at school or working in tailoring, along with Joseph (5).

1911 Census

Meanwhile, in 1911, Gertie (Gertrude) Wineberg, aged 18, was living with her parents at 5 Elmwood Terrace, Off Camp Road, Leeds. Her father Louis (45) was a trouser maker, and her mother Rachell (42) kept house. Their children included Morris (22), a draper’s apprentice; Archie (16), Harris (15), and Sam (12), all working or in school; and younger children Annie (11), Sally (9), Minnie (7), and Gintry (5). Gertie herself worked as a tailoress.

Samuel Wald and Gertrude (Gertie) Wineberg married in Leeds in 1915.

1921 Census

By the 1921 Census, the couple were living at 39 Brunswick Street, Leeds. Sam, aged 30, worked as a tailor for Sipmar Leyland, while Gertie, aged 27, recorded her birthplace as Lithuania. Their son Sydney (4) had been born in Leeds. Also present was Sam’s younger brother Jack (16), also a tailor at Sipmar Leyland.

1939 Register

In the 1939 Register, the family were still at 39 Brunswick Street. Samuel was listed as a master tailor, Sydney as a gent’s hairdresser, and another son, Mervyn, as a student.

Military Service

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

Operational Context

By June 1940, the 1^st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers was engaged in home defence duties following the evacuation from Dunkirk. With Britain facing the threat of invasion, the battalion was tasked with defending the Welsh coastline, manning defensive positions, and preparing for possible German landings.

Private Sydney Wald
Swansea Hebrew Congregational Cemetery
Credit - Findagrave

Death

Sydney died on 16^th June 1940, aged 24, during this tense early phase of the war.

Burial / Memorial

He is buried at the Swansea Hebrew Congregational Cemetery.

Legacy

Sydney’s memory endures in Swansea, where he is honoured both on his grave and on the Oystermouth memorial, alongside his younger brother Harold.

Private Harold WALD – King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 5^th Battalion

Early Life

Harold Wald

Harold Wald was born in Swansea in 1924, the younger son of Samuel and Gertie Wald.

Military Service

Harold enlisted with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 5^th Battalion.

Operational Context

On 16^th February 1945, the 5^th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers was fighting in the closing stages of Operation Veritable, the Allied advance through the Reichswald Forest and across the Dutch–German border. The battalion faced fierce resistance in flooded terrain and heavily fortified villages near the Dutch border. It was during this fighting that Private Harold Wald lost his life.

Private Harold Wald
Milsbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands
Credit - Findagrave

Death

Harold was killed in action on 16^th February 1945, aged 20.

Burial / Memorial

He is buried at Milsbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Legacy

Although not recorded in the 1939 Register, Harold’s name is preserved both overseas in the Netherlands and on the Oystermouth Cemetery memorial, alongside his brother Sydney.

Closing Reflection

The Wald brothers, Sydney and Harold, symbolise the profound loss endured by one Jewish family in Swansea during the Second World War. Sydney, the elder, died in 1940 at just 24, while Harold, the younger, was killed in 1945, aged only 20.

Their parents, Samuel and Gertie, endured the devastating grief of losing both sons within five years. Today, their names stand side by side on the Oystermouth Cemetery memorial, a lasting reminder of the sacrifices of Swansea’s Jewish community.