In memory of Maurice Zeiler
In memory of Maurice Zeiler
Maurice Zeiler was born in November 1894. He lived with his parents Philip and Sarah at 66 Briton Ferry Road, Neath. His parents had emigrated from Russia c.1890. The Russian government had placed restrictions on Jewish residents which often resulted in overcrowded living conditins.
The 1911 census records that the young Maurice was working as a clothier. Four years later, he enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Cardiff.
He had risen to the rank of Lance Corporal when he took part in the Arras offensive of April and May 1917. The attack pushed back the German front line in this area of northern France by about 10km and captured c.20,000 German prisoners of war. However, the Allies suffered more than 150,000 casualties. Among them was Maurice Zeiler, who was killed in action on 14 May 1917. His body was never found.
He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, and on the First World War memorial in St Thomas’ Church, Neath. In July 2013 the Star of David was placed alongside his name on the war memorial in St Thomas’ Church, during a special service when the memorial was blessed in Hebrew by a member of Swansea’s Jewish community. Also present was Mrs Stefanie Leigh (née Zeiler) and Major Adams (retired) of the Welsh Fusiliers.
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