The plaque was organised by AJEX Archivist Martin Sugarman and financed by Jerry Klinger of the JASHP, in recognition of his extraordinary bravery and enduring legacy as a Jewish war hero.
Born in London in 1885 to a Jewish family, Keysor spent time in Canada before emigrating to Australia in 1914. Soon after his arrival, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and was posted to Gallipoli with the 1st Battalion. It was there, during the intense fighting at Lone Pine in August 1915, that he performed the heroic actions which earned him the Victoria Cross. Over nearly two days, despite being wounded, Keysor repeatedly picked up and threw back enemy grenades to protect his trench, at times catching them mid air!
After recovering from illness and injuries, he served on the Western Front in France, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He returned to London following the war, marrying and later appearing in a film re-enactment of his Gallipoli exploits. Though injured again during filming, he continued to support others, assisting Jewish refugees during the Second World War when he was unable to enlist due to medical reasons.
Lieutenant Keysor died of cancer in 1951 and was cremated at Golders Green following a service at St John’s Wood Liberal Jewish Synagogue. His Victoria Cross is now proudly displayed at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
AJEX is proud to commemorate Leonard Keysor’s life and service with this permanent tribute at the place he once called home.
