A letter handwritten and signed by Joseph Trumpeldor, London, May 1, 1917. Russian and some English.
The letter was written during Trumpeldor's stay in London, where he came to assist Ze'ev Jabotinsky in his efforts to establish a Jewish fighting legion. Addressed to Mrs. Gavronska.
The letter concerns setting a meeting with Mrs. Gavronska and her husband, Ya'akov Gavronski. Trumpeldor opens with apologizing for missing his former meeting with the couple: "I did not forget, but it seems that I misunderstood. I believed that I have to arrive when Ya'akov Yosifovitch will inform me of…news regarding Russian citizens about to be drafted, or when I have news about the subject…". He further mentions that he wrote a similar letter to Ya'akov Yosifovitch [Gavronski] asking to re-schedule the meeting.
Ya'akov Yosifovitch Gavronsky (1878-1948, grandson of Kalonimus Ze'ev Wissotzky), physician by profession, was involved in the political life in Russia. While still a student he managed a social-revolutionary group in Freiburg (Germany), with his first wife. Among other things he served as Russian Provisional Government high commissioner in London.
Joseph Trumpeldor (1880-1920) – one of the founders of the Jewish Legion, "HaChalutz", and the commander of the defense of Tel-Hai court in 1920. Trumpeldor was born in Russia, was the first Jewish officer to serve in the Russian army, serving also in the Russo-Japanese war, where he was hurt in battle – his left arm amputated, and he was captured by the Japanese. He came to Eretz Israel in 1912. During WWI he founded together with Ze'ev Jabotinsky the Jewish Legion and fought at the Gallipoli Campaign as deputy commander of the "Zion Mule Corps". After the war Trumpeldor headed back to Russia, where he was among the founders of "HaChalutz". In 1919 he came again to Eretz Israel and was called to assist with the protection of the settlements in the area of the Galilee Panhandle. He was killed in the battle of Tel- Hai, on the 11th of Adar, 1920; his character and bravery led to his being a national hero in the history of Zionism.
[1] leaf, ca. 22 cm. Attached to passé par-tout. Good condition. Folding marks and foxing.