Person

Isadore Novinski was born in Sunderland on 28 October 1898. His father was Archibald Novinski, also known as Archie, a tailor who was born in Grodnu, Russia [Belarus]. His mother was Fanny Novinski, nee Lewis, originally from Germany. Isadore was the youngest of six children born to the couple and had one brother and four sisters.

The family became naturalised British Citizens on 27 September 1893 at which time they were living in Bishopwearmouth. The 1901 census records the Novinski family living at 2 Howick Street in Sunderland and Isadore’s father David is working as a tailor. By 1911 the family had moved to 4 Cambridge Terrace in Sunderland. Archy is now listed as the employer for a tailoring business, which appears to be successful as the family are living in a house with nine rooms.

Isadore attended Hudson Road Boys’ School in Sunderland from 1908 before moving onto Bede School, where he is remembered on a plaque for those from the school who lost their lives during the war.

Isadore attested on 25 October 1916 in Sunderland, at which time he was working as a draper’s assistant, presumably in the family business. He was mobilised and posted to the East Riding Yorkshire Yeomanry on 26 February 1917 before being posted to the 11th Battalion East Riding Regiment on 19 December 1917. This was followed by postings within the same regiment to the 13th Battalion in February 1918 and then the 1st/4th Battalion. He served as a private with the service number 29777. It was with this regiment whilst serving in France and Flanders that he was reported missing, presumed dead on 27 May 1918.

Isadore is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial in France and remembered locally on several memorials. One of these memorials is a brass plaque now housed at the Jewish Military Museum in London. This plaque was originally unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland at Moor Street Synagogue, Sunderland in 1922. It was moved to Ryhope Road Synagogue, upon the closure of which it was transferred to London. The inscription on the plaque reads: “In honoured memory of the undermentioned members of the Sunderland Jewish Community who made the Supreme Sacrifice in the Great War 1914-1918.”

Isadore was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service in the First World War. The family also received a bronze medal Isadore had been awarded for his skill with a rifle.

There is information and a photo of Isadore at the following link: https://www.jewsfww.london/isidore-novinski-2463.php

Civil Parish: Sunderland

Birth date: 1898

Death date: 27-May-1918

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 2 Howick Street, Bishopwearmouth (Naturalisation Papers – 1893)
2 Howick Street, Sunderland (1901 census)
4 Cambridge Terrace, Sunderland (1911 census and attestation records)

Education: Hudson Road Infant’s School, Sunderland
Bede Collegiate School, Sunderland

Religion: Jewish

Employment: Draper’s assistant (Service records)

Family: Parents: Archy Novinski, Fanny Novinski nee Lewis
Siblings: Sarah Kate Novinski, Solomon Novinski, Leah Novinski, Rosetta Lovinski, Florence Novinski
Aunt: Minna Lewis (1891 census)

Military service:

1/4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment
Private
Service number 29777

Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal

Memorial(s): Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France
Book of Remembrance, Holy Trinity Church, Sunderland
Plaque 1914-18 Synagogue, originally Moor Street, Sunderland
Bede Collegiate School, Sunderland

Gender: Male

Contributed by Fiona Johnson - Durham