Veteran celebrates barmitzvah at 86 years old

An 86-year-old British Army veteran who was unable to celebrate his original barmitzvah has finally marked the milestone at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, surrounded by friends, fellow veterans and members of the Jewish community.

Barrie Davey, a former dog-handler in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, longstanding AJEX member and Chelsea Pensioner, did not have a Jewish upbringing and only reconnected with his heritage later in life.

Joined by friends, supporters and members of the Jewish community, he celebrated the occasion at an event organised through a collaboration between AJEX, Boys Club House at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, with the service led by Rabbi Nir Nadav, a chaplain with the British Army’s Royal Logistics Corps.

Reflecting on the day, Barrie said he felt “overwhelmed and grateful, It means a great deal to me and is something I will never forget,” he said.

AJEX chief executive Fiona Palmer said: “Being at Barrie’s barmitzvah today, at such a special and iconic place, was incredibly emotional. It was a unique occasion. Seeing him called up to the Torah and hearing him speak about what being part of the Jewish people means to him was amazing.

“AJEX was delighted to be part of the team that helped make this happen. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard and created such a wonderful atmosphere. Mazel Tov, Barrie!”

Ari Leaman, chief executive of The Boys Clubhouse added “It was a privilege to be part of such a special occasion and very thoughtful of Barrie to invite some of the boys that he had met a few month earlier to take part of his celebration”.

• Jewish News readers who would like to send Barrie their mazeltov wishes can do so by emailing ajexremembers@ajex.org.uk.