(translated from the Yizkor site)
Natenel Cashman, the son of Chaike (Kate) and Moshe-Yosef (Morris) Cashman, was born in London on 6th February 1922 to religious parents. He was raised in the neighborhood of Whitechapel and studied at an elementary school. He became a butcher, helping his father who owned a butcher’s shop.
During World War ll he enlisted, and served in the British Army for five years. During his service he served in Tripoli until the Jewish massacres took place. He reacted to these events, and to the indifference and hostility of his fellow British soldiers, by becoming a Zionist on his return to London.
Prior to his release from the army he saw concentration camp survivors face-to-face in Germany. He attempted to make “legal” Aliyah without success and then registered as an “Etzelnik” in London and awaited his turn. He joined the passengers of the Altalena and arrived in Israel. From Tel Aviv he went directly to Jerusalem and joined the Etzelniks who were fighting there. The rift between the Haganah and the other underground organizations depressed and disappointed him, but he overcame these feelings and dreamed about bringing his mother on Aliyah after the war and settling in one of the moshavim (agricultural settlements).
Natanel was in the group that fought in Malcha and from there he was sent to a position atop a mountain overlooking Malcha. Before separating from an old friend he told him: “If anything happens to me, please tell my family not to mourn me because I am happy to die for Jerusalem.” In his last battle he fought bravely and was amongst those who fell at Malcha on 16th July, 1948. He was buried on the 1st day of the month Adar at Sheikh.
On 10th September, 1950, his remains were transferred to eternal rest in the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.
25th May 2021 – With grateful thanks to Natanel’s great niece – Amy Gee for sending a picture of the headstone for his grave on Mount Herzl. יהי זכרו ברוך May his dear soul rest in peace.
