IDF No: 58480
The son of Shmuel and Tova Hack, Louis was born in the Johannesburg suburb of Doornfontein in South Africa on 12th August 1923. He was educated at the Doornfontein primary school and the commercial high school where he was appointed head prefect in 1940. He won his school colors in rugby, tennis, cricket, boxing, and athletics. For six years he served as treasurer of the Ellis Park Boys’ Club, which he represented in various sports. In 1937 he was a finalist in the Transvaal junior boxing championships.
At the age of 19 he played for Balfour Park’s first soccer team. He later served the club in various capacities: as a member of the sports general committee, on the governing body, and as chairman of the club’s hockey section. He was also involved in the formation of the ladies’ softball group. He was treasurer of the municipal swimming club, and shortly before his departure for Israel he was made its life president.
All his friends valued his ability as an exceptional organizer and as a true friend who took his responsibilities seriously. Shortly before his arrival in Israel he had successfully passed his final examinations and was admitted into the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants of South Africa.
On arrival in Israel on the immigrant ship “Fabio” on 17th September 1948, he was given the honor of raising the Israeli flag as the ship approached Haifa. Later, at Tel Litwinsky he, together with other South Africans, was posted to the English-speaking 72nd Battalion.
On the night of 22nd October, his platoon set out from Kibbutz Eilon near Nahariya on a deep penetration raid on the headquarters of the Arab Liberation Army. On the return to Kibbutz Eilon he was struck by a stray bullet. He died in the early morning of 23rd October in the ambulance on the way to Nahariya Hospital.
The next day he was buried with full military honors at the military cemetery
in Nahariya.
Researcher’s note:
His eight pallbearers, as well as the members of the firing party were all
South African Machal volunteers.
Source: Translated from the Yizkor website by Joe Woolf, with the addition of the researcher’s note.