I would like to refer to the most interesting article entitled Remembrance Day written by Major Ivan M. Consiglio, AFM published in The Malta Independent Daily on 1 November.
Since 2009 the Malta branch of The International Al Jolson Society has been taking part in the ceremonies on ‘Remembrance Sunday’. The Society attends for the Pontifical Mass held at St. John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta and also for the Laying of the Wreaths at the War Memorial in Floriana.
During World War One Al Jolson, the greatest minstrel of them all, appeared often to raise money for Liberty Bonds and the war effort. On September 15, 1918 Al Jolson participated in a benefit for the U.S. Tank Corps and in July 1918 accompanied by pianist Cliff Hess he left New York for a 30 day tour of Army camps across the US Jolson rarely declined an invitation to raise money for war veterans.
Just 6 weeks after Pearl Harbour was attacked during World War Two Al Jolson began a 2 week tour of Florida training camps. In 1942 Al Jolson was granted permission to wear a uniform and have the same standing as an officer. Between March and July 1942 Jolson entertained Army and Navy personnel in various parts of the US.
On August 22, 1942 Jolson left for London to begin touring British and American camps in Dublin, Limerick, Belfast and Glasgow and after a final performance in London he arrived back in New York on September 19, 1942. In August 1943 Jolson gave shows in Georgetown, British Guiana, then on to Belem, Brazil. He gave shows in Natal and Recife and later that month Jolson flew to Dakar, Senegal where he performed at Army hospitals.
Jolson moved on to Morocco, appearing in Marrakech and Casablanca. Next, in Algeria he played shows in Oran, and in Algiers Al Jolson met with General Eisenhower and his staff. He then moved on to shows in Tunisia and on September 11, 1943 Jolson performed for the U.S. Seventh Army in Sicily and left Italy ten days later after numerous shows. A month later Al Jolson collapsed in the lobby of the ‘Sherry Netherland Hotel ‘ in New York, ill from malaria, contracted overseas.
Eight months later, Jolson began a series of statewide US Army hospital tours. On December 23 1944, malarial symptoms returned and on January 16, 1945 parts of two ribs and a large section of Jolson’s left lung were removed at ‘Cedars of Lebanon Hospital’ in Los Angeles.
After the start of the Korean conflict in1950 Al Jolson departed for the Far East on September 11,1950 and after stopovers in Wake Island and Hawaii he arrived at Haneda, Japan on Septermber 13th. Between 15 and 21 September Al Jolson had played 23 shows for 26,000 servicemen and women in Japan and Korea. On his way back home Jolson was scheduled to perform at various military bases in Guam, Manila, Okinawa, Kwajelein and Johnston Island but because of exhaustion and ill health he had to cancel these plans. Then Jolson left for home via Hawaii where he did one more show for the GIs there. It was to be his last. Al Jolson arrived in Los Angeles the evening of September 27, 1950, 26 days before his death which occurred on October 23,1950.
The Maltese members of The Int’l Al Jolson Society feel that it is justly right that the Malta branch of the Society takes part on ‘Remembrance Day’ – as Al Jolson was a war casualty, and also to salute all those who gave their lives so that we all can live in liberty and peace.
Vince Williams
Honorary Member & Rep.
Int’l Al Jolson Society