Honouring Augustus Solomon Lipman

Mr Lipman died in Orange Base Hospital in 1949, but like almost a hundred other diggers who returned from WWI – including many who had suffered “shell shock” – his grave remained unmarked in Orange Cemetery until local researcher, Sharon Jameson, discovered their woeful situation just four years ago. Subsequently John Thomas of Forgotten Diggers notified Peter Allen, coordinator of Operation Jacob, and the Office of Australian War Graves recognised Lipman’s Jewish faith by including a Star of David on his headstone, while also providing war graves for many other veterans.

Born in 1879 to Sarah (née Solomon) and Robert Lipman in Newcastle, Abram (aka Augustus) Solomon Lipman’s family tree was researched by Jeannette Tsoulos and Gary Luke of the AJHS. But it was not until two years later, in January 2025, that Sharon James’ perseverance found a great-nephew, Peter Howarth. His cousins were equally elated and discovered touching family photographs, including of uniformed AIF Driver Lipman, who served with Motor Transport Companies in France, 1917-18. He had previously been the licensee of the Shamrock Hotel in Muswellbrook and was a commercial traveller around the NSW Central West when he passed away, a widower.

A service for all of the ex-servicemen whose graves are now identified will be held at Orange Cemetery at 11am on Saturday 22 March, organised by the Orange RSL sub- branch. The following day Sunday 23 March, commencing 11am, Operation Jacob will hold a Jewish consecration service at the grave of Driver Lipman, led by Australian Army Chaplain Rabbanit Judith Levitan. Subsequently, a brief talk will be given with a tour of the cemetery’s Jewish section, comprising some dozen graves.