Martin Lurie

Martin Lurie (16 July 1918 Oslo, Norway - 10 August 1988 Johannesburg, South Africa ) was the youngest son of Joseph Lurie (1875-1928) and Ella Lurie born Spitz (1877-1933) of Oslo, Norway. His parents sought refuge in Norway from Tzarist Russian persecution in Lithuania. He was one of 7 children. Following the death of his parents, the siblings all came to South Africa. His eldest brother Jacob arrive in Port Elizabeth in 1925. His other brothers, David and Robert left Norway and went to Port Elizabeth in 1930. Martin came to South Africa with his sisters, Selma, Mary and Rosa. They arrived in Port Elizabeth on the 24 April 1935.

During World War Two Martin served in the Union Defence Force. He was a Gunner in the Witwatersrand Rifles and was sent 'up North'. His regiment was part of the 1st South African Infantry Division. He managed to leave on the last transport out of Tobruk prior to the collapse of Tobruk in June 1942. He took part in the Battle of El Alamein in October 1942 where he was wounded.

Martin married Bessie Rochman (1923 -1995) on the 17th June 1945 in Johannesburg. At that time he was a diamond cutter. They had two children, Jonathan and Ruth.

Sources: 1. Personal correspondence Ruth Lurie, daughter.

2. Wounded or Injured. Lurie, Martin, Gnr. South African Jews in World War II. SA Jewish Board of Deputies 1950 page 175.

3. https://sajmarchives.com/armed-forces-lurie

4. https://www.geni.com/people/Martin-Lurie/6000000110640226987

5. https://lurienorway.blogspot.com/.