The Marseillaise was played through London’s French quarters on Tuesday in celebration of Bastille Day, but last Shabbat it made a guest appearance in a more unlikely place.
Hendon Reform Synagogue congregants sang Adon Olam to the tune of the French national anthem to honour a 98-year-old war veteran who received the Legion d’honneur in recognition of his part in the D-Day landings .
Michael Noss received France's highest decoration from ambassador Sylvie Bermann on Tuesday at a ceremony at the French Embassy in London.
Mr Noss said: “I was very honoured. A man cannot be anything but happy going to receive it – who wouldn’t be? It was an evening I shall always remember. It was wonderful. It was a dream.”
The war veteran attended the event with his wife of 68 years, Stella, and his son and daughter-in-law.
Describing his time as a soldier in the Royal Engineers during the Second World War, Mr Noss said: “There were no heroics. Just the fact that I happened to be there on D-Day. I did my job as thousands of other guys did. Some unfortunately didn’t make it.”
On D-Day he rescued another solider from the sea.
“All I know is that I was able to save another life. I saw water all around. I put my arm in and managed to get hold of a strap of his backpack. I pulled him up and then we had to get off the beaches as quickly as possible.”
Proud congregants at HRS held a special service and kiddush in the veteran’s honour.
Rabbi Steven Katz said: “He and his wife have been long-standing members of the Shabbat minyan. We were honoured that he chose to share his honour with us."
