William Edmondson, son of Hazel, was born in 1927 in the United States to Irish immigrants. He was one of the Righteous Gentiles who volunteered to serve in Israel’s War of Independence. He was a Communist idealist, who aspired to be faithful, and was always ready to rebel on behalf of the politically oppressed class. He was employed as a Social Worker.
William volunteered in World War II to fight against the Nazis. After the war, he went to France, where he had friends from Israel, who shared the same aspirations and ambitions. There, he completed studies in the art of sculpture. He volunteered his services to Aliyah Bet and reached the Land of Israel, where he actively participated in the creation of the State of Israel.
In jest, William used to remark that in the past Ireland was clearly an enemy of the British Government, and it was appropriate that he was taking part in a Jewish rebellion in conjunction with his love for the Irish Rebellion. His main object was always the battle against Fascism.
He saw the Arab nations attack on Israel as a Fascist attempt against the advance of freedom. With personal courage, he said that his wish was to die rather than become a prisoner of war.
On July 9th on the road to Jerusalem a bullet hit him in the head and he fell. He was buried in Jaffa. Later, on April 18th, 1951, he was reburied at the IDF Cemetery of Haifa. He left a young wife in France who said she would immigrate to Israel after victory was achieved.
Prepared by Joe Woolf