Page 2 - HGS Suburb News 143 - Summer 2020

Alan Smallbone 1930 - 2019 Ben Lachmann 1924- 2019

He became a Broker at Lloyds theirs. Bath time, bedtime stories, en Lachmann was born in returned to Frankfurt. Ben’s sister
in 1955 and worked there until impromptu trips to Longleat or B Gleiwitz, Upper Silesia (now had already left Israel to settle
his early retirement in 1988 the fairground made Dad the Gliwice, Poland) in 1924 where in London and so in 1958 he
following a heart attack. He was ‘fun’ parent. His deep sense of his parents, Josef and Rose, ran the decided to look for work in
passionate about issues around morality, of right and wrong, family store selling household England. He was introduced to
Lloyds and pensions on which he acceptable and unacceptable furnishings. After Josef’s tragic a Czech-owned furniture company
SARAH SMALLBONE
was an inveterate writer of letters could at times be hard to live death in a car accident in 1928, who agreed to apply for a work
to the Times and Financial Times. with and to live up to, but his Rose continued to run the store permit for him. Starting on a
He revelled in the challenges of integrity was never in doubt. until she sold it in 1933. A timely weekly wage of £12 he finished up
argument, never let go of a We walked our dogs on the heath sale indeed. The political unrest in as technical and import director.
topic once engaged and railed and at Kenwood and enjoyed Germany was creating increasingly His experience and ability to
against the obtuseness of those meals at The Spaniards Inn. unfavourable conditions for Jews. travel and communicate had
who could not follow his line of He took great care of Katie Ben recalled being shot in the stood him in good stead.
lan Frederick Smallbone was thought, or was it perhaps those in her final illness until her arm with an air rifle by a couple Ben finally received his
A born on 29th March 1930 who disagreed? It was during this death in December 2010 and of Hitler youths on his way British citizenship in 1963, two
to Gidea Park GP Eric and his time that he became a Justice of remained, initially alone until home from school one day. He years after marrying Steffi. The
Scottish wife Jean (9 months to the Peace, widely respected as Sarah moved back to care for rushed up to the family’s With the war officially over, couple started married life in
the day after their wedding). He Chairman of the Bench. I do him, in the family home until second-floor flat and hurled a Ben, now stationed in northern Oakwood Road here in the
was educated at Bradfield wonder if his true vocation the week before his unexpected flower pot from the balcony at Italy, brought displaced Jews Suburb. Their son Jonathan was
College (Army House) and Trinity might have been in the world death on 30th August 2019 in them. He was pretty sure he hit from the Soviet-occupied zone born in 1968 and the family
College, Oxford. Before attending of law where I think he might The Royal Free Hospital as the one of them. into Italy and sent them by moved to Litchfield Way in the
Officer Cadet school, he served for have made a wonderful (and result of an acute illness. Towards the end of 1934, boat on to Palestine. The Jewish early seventies. Both Ben and
a time in Africa in the Mauritian probably provocative) judge. He became increasingly more Rose decided to leave Germany Brigade was then sent to Holland Steffi loved the Suburb, particularly
guard and was then commissioned He married Katie in 1959, eccentric in old age, especially and moved her family to (what and Belgium to guard fields of the sense of community and
into a cavalry regiment, being initially living in a flat in in his choice of clothes, but was then) Czechoslovakia, Austria parked tanks and heavy weapons. ‘villagey feel’. They enjoyed walks
awarded the General Service Primrose Hill where Sarah was never went out without a hat (a and Italy in the hope of finding Driving through bombed-out across the Heath Extension and
Medal for his part in the Suez born. They moved to Temple selection of which were laid on a better life. However, with the Germany in lorries painted with even had a favourite tree which
Campaign. He loved being in the Fortune Lane in 1966 and Erica his coffin). Until two months Nazis now occupying large swathes the Brigade’s distinctive blue and they would always walk around
Army and afterwards maintained was born. He was a devoted before his death, he could be of Europe, Rose knew she had white stripes and the yellow Star before turning back to go home.
a committed attachment as a family man and loved being a seen wobbling down to Temple to move her family yet again. of David, Ben heard a German Sadly, Steffi died in 2016.
Territorial Army Officer in the Inns parent and subsequently grand- Fortune on his bike, wearing his They sailed on the Galileo from man exclaim “Was! es gibt noch Despite suffering a massive
of Court Regiment. Convention parent (to Erica’s three children favourite Knickerbockers which Trieste to Haifa in 1937 to join Juden?” (“What! Are there still stroke in January 2014 which
and formality, learnt at school and living in Somerset) and great he refused to part with even Rose’s brother who had already Jews around?”) . left him physically impaired,
in the Army, were important to grandparent, and was very when full of holes. settled there. After the war, Ben returned Ben continued to enjoy a high
him throughout his life. involved in our upbringing and SARAH SMALLBONE Having turned 13 on the to Tel Aviv. With his discharge level of alertness and memory
voyage to Haifa, Ben celebrated payment, he bought a set of capacity right up to the end of
his Barmitzvah (Jewish coming carpentry tools and started his life and used this time to
Orchard Housing Laminated notices were put on of age) in Tel Aviv. After attending working in furniture factories. He write a short but detailed memoir.
government recommendations.
entrance doors and notice boards the local school and learning also carried out his mandatory two Ben was determined to stay in
Hebrew, Ben enrolled at a
his home in Litchfield Way
year army training and clearly
as visual reminders. technical school specifically set did well, being promoted to until his death and his family
Hand sanitising dispensers ensured his wish was honoured.
were installed at each entrance up to train young German-Jewish sergeant. Though asked to remain Ben Lachmann was a true
to reduce the spread of infection. boys in metal and woodwork. in the army, Ben declined but survivor and his life story will
he did fulfil his call up for the
He clearly had an aptitude for
Our communal laundries stayed woodwork, building the large 1956 Suez campaign. continue to be handed down
open, with only one person at a through the generations by his
time permitted. double doors for the school’s main Israel in the 1950s was a son Jonathan, his daughter-in-
Our tenants helped each entrance. At 18 Ben joined the harsh country to live in; it was law Beth and his two grand-
full of shortages, particularly in
Jewish Brigade and travelled to
other by ordering shopping Alexandria and then Southern medication. In 1957 Ben’s mother children Sam and Maya of whom
online for others, delivering Ben was inordinately proud.
prescriptions and checking on Italy following the Allied invasion decided to go back to Germany
each other’s wellbeing. from Sicily. to join some friends who had SHELLEY-ANNE SALISBURY
As an independent sheltered
housing scheme, the managers
workers and arranged to work 2020
are not considered front-line
he Orchard Housing Society is maintained safe outdoor space
Ta not for profit registered social has plenty of seating for our from home, with a weekly visit
to site. We quickly adapted to
landlord, which exists to provide tenants to enjoy fresh air and the situation, setting up remote It started with quiet streets and dreary days
sheltered accommodation for beautiful weather. This helped to access to our computer systems So desolate and lifeless
older Suburb residents or the ensure the Orchard community Our hearts sinking every time we hear the familiar wail of sirens
parents of Suburb residents kept in contact with their and diverting phones to ensure People walking far apart not worried for themselves
our tenants could contact us
who are in housing need. The neighbours whilst maintaining directly during office hours. But for those they love and cherish with fear that they may perish
provision of housing for the the recommended two metre Amanda and I are the full
elderly was part of the overall social distance.
time managers and together
vision of Dame Henrietta Barnett, Prior to the lockdown, when with our new part time Housing Painting rainbows on our windows
and in 1909 the original group the pandemic started to affect Assistant, Leonie, we created a rota To encourage all our heroes
of flats was opened. A group of people in England, we sadly and to check in with our tenants at The Angels who work hard night and day to keep their brethren safe
local residents formed the current cautiously decided to close our Risking their lives on emergency wards
Orchard Housing Society in order communal rooms, which meant least once a week. A daily call to Knowing they have made a difference
our most vulnerable and isolated
to replace the original buildings we had to stop all activities; coffee tenants assisted in ensuring all We clap for them on Thursdays, but every day we pray
with more up to date provision mornings, meditation, decoupage needs were being met.
and the new buildings were classes and the ‘my generation’
As the Tenant Support
opened in 1972. project which was run in Manager, I have visited the We want to smile yet we sigh
We are very fortunate at The partnership with Mind in Barnet. Orchard at least once a week When the recovery rate is low and the deaths high
Orchard. Surrounded by beautiful We encouraged our tenants since the lockdown began, We walk on through this storm of fear and sorrow
grounds and gardens, our well to wash their hands and stick to When tears subside
making sure contact with tenants
was maintained, showing moral There will be a brighter tomorrow
support and a physical presence.
WE’VE GOT guidance, are sent to tenants A gentle breeze turned into a storm bringing the world to its knees
Updates on the current
but when the world is all recovered
YOU COVERED. fortnightly, ensuring clear humanity and kindness will be rediscovered.
communication on the ever-
It’s been six weeks the air is clear; pollution has found a natural solution.
changing Covid-19 pandemic
and government rules. We The grass is green the flowers are bright and there are very few cars in sight.
We have insured clients and their believe all these efforts helped Lessons we have learnt shall stay within our mind and we shall be wise to follow them till the end of time.
families in Hampstead Garden Suburb to keep the Orchard virus free. Respect our planet and all who live on it,
We cannot thank the local
for 35 years... community enough. We were or bear the consequences of Her reactions to our tainted actions.
overwhelmed by offers of support GIA BHALLA
from the Suburb community,
Personal quote: from Helping Hands, Mutual
020 8353 8957 Aid Volunteer group and from
all the neighbours who emailed
Commercial quote: and called offering support with
020 8353 8940 shopping, collecting prescriptions, MORE THAN JUST A TO B • DRIVERS ATTENTIVE TO YOUR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS
cooking or just a friendly phone FIXED FARES TO MANY DESTINATIONS INCLUDING AIRPORTS, STATIONS AND HOSPITALS
call; Thank you! SAMPLE FARES:
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wonderful gardeners, cleaners, Gatwick .................from £65 MINI-CAB SERVICE AVAILABLE
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YEARS Royal Free .............from £8 020 8455 6777
BEATRICE BOUSSARD, TENANT • NO ‘SURGE’ PRICING
SUPPORT MANAGER
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