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Dr Suzanne Sedgwick (née Abramovich) established the Hyman Abramovich Foundation in 1983 to honour the memory of her brother.
Suzanne was born in 1894 in Haifa, Ottoman Empire, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Australia in 1918. She moved to Sydney to undertake medical studies, graduating in 1923 with a M.B., Ch.M. from the University of Sydney.
Dr Sedgwick had a distinguished medical career, and passed away on 1 July 1989 in Sydney, Australia.
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British Army |
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Zalman Haym Abramovich, known as Hyman or Hymie (within the family), was born in Perth, Western Australia on 1 January 1911, to Joseph and Genassie (née Feinberg).
Hyman graduated in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1934. In 1936 he travelled to London to undertake post-graduate study, and worked as a locum in the slums of London's East End and as a medical officer at St Nicholas' Hospital, Plumstead.
When World War II broke out, Dr Abramovich enlisted in the British Army, but refused to join the medical corps, such was his implacable opposition to the Nazis that he wanted to be involved in the front-line fighting.
His abilities as a soldier, his leadership and fearlessness, took him from being a Private in 1939 to a Major by 1943.
He was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for his actions at The Battle of Anzio (22 January to 5 June 1944). A war correspondent at the time wrote of him:
"His men and colleagues do not know how he made the jump from Sydney to the British Loyal Regiment, which is based in Lancashire, but they agree wholeheartedly he was one hell of a soldier who did as much as any man to put the German trip down the Rome-Anzio Road into reverse."
After a distinguished life and career, Dr Abramovich passed away on 11 April 1972 in Bankstown, New South Wales.
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Original citation document. 
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Mock-up of citation 
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Text of original citation: During the battle in the early hours of 18 Feb SE of the Campo di Carne fly-bridge, B Coy in the centre of the Bn posn was partly overrun and suffered heavy casualties. During the day A Coy under the comd of Maj H. Abramovich was sent forward to relieve B Coy. During the night 17/18 Feb the Germans attacked the Bn in force and A Coy was involved in continuous heavy fighting at close quarters. Maj Abramovich fought his Coy with great coolness and courage and although the enemy got right into his Coy area and over-ran one pl, Maj Abramovich counter-attacked and drove them out inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans. Throughout he maintained constant touch by wireless with Bn HQ and sent back information which enabled effective arty and mortar support to be given on the Bn front. The determined way in which the Coy fought was largely due to his excellent leadership and personal courage.
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Joseph Abramovich (יוסף בן דוד) was born circa 1863, and was of Russian-Jewish background. Joseph married Genassie Feinberg (גינעסיע בת הלל ליב פיינבערג), and together they had six children: Suzanne, Dora, Anne, Leslie, Hyman and Cyrille Ruth (deceased as a child).
Genassie passed away on 6 May 1941, while Joseph passed away on 27 December 1947, aged 84.
Dora Abramovich was born on 20 November 1897 in Haifa, Ottoman Empire, and became a school teacher after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Western Australia in 1920. She ran English classes for many years through the National Council for Jewish Women. Dora passed away on 7 July 1993, just four months after her brother Leslie's passing.
Dr Leslie (Eliezer) Abramovich (5 April 1903, Perth, WA – 14 March 1973, Sydney, NSW), also became a doctor, graduating in 1925 from the University of Sydney, and also served in World War II (Australian Army Medical Corps, 2nd Australian Imperial Force), reaching the rank of Captain. He was survived by his wife Pearl Ethel (née Israel, 11 December 1904 – 4 February 1993), and son David.
Cyrille Ruth Abramovich passed away on 22 February 1925, aged 11. She was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia.
Source: Jewish Servicemen and Women, NSW Association of Jewish Service and Ex-Service Men and Women
Source: Historical Database of Australian Elites
Source: Historical Database of Australian Elites
Source: Historical Database of Australian Elites
Source: Historical Database of Australian Elites
Source: Parliament of Australia
Source: Cyrille Ruth Abramovich
Image: Imperial War Museum collection, Image IWM (NA 12278)
Image: Fairfax Media Archives, 3 November 1971
Award: Australian War Memorial, Honours and Awards (Recommendation), Hyman Abramovich