Gerald was born on 28 February 1920 to Alfred and Elizabeth née Leven and he had two younger brothers, Bernard and Anthony. Their father Alfred was listed as a licensed victualler in Worthing, Sussex in 1939. Gerald worked as a costing clerk before he enlisted.

Gerald was the pilot of Halifax MZ400 which departed RAF Driffield on a night operation to Bochum. The aircraft was hit by flak and crashed over the target area. All crew were killed.

Pilot, Gerald Coleman, 178780.
Nav, Philip Hedley Malcolm Levey, RAAF, 429588.
A/G, Archibald James Mouat, 1378208.
A/G, Denis Roy Muxlow, 1590607.
F/E, Ronald Charles Stopp, 1892044.
W/Op, John Newton Tresidder, RAAF, 424477.
A/B, Alan James Ward, 1581798.

The tallit, poetry book and a photo of Gerald Coleman were handed to a Rabbi in Romford, Essex, after a service in 2018 and then handed to AJEX Archivist Martin Sugarman. Nothing is known about who gave them to the Rabbi and where they had been for over 70 years. Gerald’s brother Bernard (ex RN and in his 90’s at the time) knew nothing more either. The inscription in the book says, ’to Gerald Coleman with heartiest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion of his Barmitzvah, from Mr and Mrs S Harris and Sons,  5^th March 1933’

To view the items contact Martin Sugarman at AJEX via the web site www.ajex.org.uk

Martin Sugarman