WWII veteran honoured
MONTEFIORE NSW resident John Waxman has received the decoration of a chevalier (knight) of the Legion of Honour from the French Republic for his outstanding services during World War II.
The 91-year-old was presented with a medal and diploma by French Consul-General Eric Berti at a ceremony in Sydney on June 16.
He told The AJN it was “very emotional” to receive this accolade, particularly after so many years have passed.
“It is a great privilege to receive this decoration; it means a lot to me, my family and Montefiore Home,” he said.
Waxman was born in Germany and moved with his family to England before the war began. He enlisted in the British Army in Euston, United Kingdom, in June 1942. As a commando, he was part of the Pegasus Bridge raid in 1944, before taking part in the Battle of Caen, where he was severely wounded.
His service also included being part of the invading force that entered Normandy on D-Day, and being involved in the battle of St Honorine.
Montefiore CEO Robert Orie congratulated Waxman. “He is being recognised for the courage and sense of sacrifice he demonstrated as he took part in the liberation of France,” Orie said.
Indeed, Waxman was an “enemy alien”. As a German national he fled Nazi persecution to join the British in their fight against Hitler. In this climate, he explained that his name and religion were changed on documentation.
“We had to hide our identities because we were at risk. If we had been caught we would have been shot,” Waxman said.
He immigrated to Australia shortly after the war ended.
The National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. Technically, membership in the Legion of Honour is restricted to French nationals. Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds may, however, receive a distinction of the Legion.
PHOEBE ROTH
John Waxman. Photo: Noel Kessel
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