Sam Krycer z"l
- Częstochowa-born centagenarian and Australian World War II veteran
Sam (Zajnwel) Krycer z”l was born in Częstochowa on 17th January 1919. He arrived in Australia on 11th December 1938, settling in Melbourne. During World War II, he served in the Royal Australian Air Force.
On 25th April 2019, at 100 years of age, he represented the Royal Australian Air Force and led the annual ANZAC Day parade (Australia’s memorial day).
Sadly, Sam passed away on 31st July 2019.
Between his participation in the parade and his passing, Sam agreed to talk about his life with our World Society webmaster, Andrew Rajcher.
Click HERE to read Sam describing his long, eventful life.
SAM AND HIS FAMILY
Sam, with his family, celebrating his 100th birthday
Back row: David Krycer (son), Rebecca Krycer (daughter-in-law), Colin Krycer (son)
Front row: Shelley (granddaughter), Sam Krycer, Benjamin (grandson)
Sam, with his wife Hannah
(Postscript: Sadly, Hannah passed away on 12th November 2020, aged 94.)
Sam, with his sister Freda and brother Morry
LEAVING CZĘSTOCHOWA FOR AUSTRALIA
Sam’s travel advice (above) and ship’s ticket (right) issued to “Zajnwel Krycer” – under Sam’s official name.
MILITARY SERVICE IN WORLD WAR II
Pic left: Sam in Royal Australian Air Force uniform.
Pic above: Sam’s official Royal Australian Air Force record of service.
ANZAC DAY – 25th APRIL 2019 (Australia’s memorial day)
In 2019, Sam was given the honour of leading the annual march, from Melbourne’s downtown area to the city’s Shrine of Remembrance.
Pic above: Sam, proudly wearing his service medals, standing in front of Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance.
Pic left: Jewish community newspaper, the “Australian Jewish News”, reporting that 100-year-old Sam led the 2019 ANZAC Day march.
Webmaster’s Comment:
The pictures in this tribute page
have been supplied by Sam’s sons
David Krycer and Colin Krycer.
I thank them sincerely for arranging
my interview with their late father and
for supplying the pictures appearing here.
In May 2019, it was truly an honour
for me to sit with Sam, in his home,
and to listen to his eventful story.