A SPORTING oval on the University of Technology, Sydney campus at Lindfield is set to be named in honour of Jewish Victoria Cross (VC) recipient Leonard Keysor.

The oval will form part of Defence Housing Australia’s (DHA) Crimson Hill residential development, which also includes a community centre and precincts named for six other WWI VC recipients.

Lance Corporal Keysor and the other men to be honoured at Crimson Hill all received a VC for their actions during the Battle of Lone Pine at Gallipoli in 1915.

British-born Keysor was awarded for his valour in keeping his trench and comrades safe from Turkish bombs, fighting for 50 consecutive hours despite sustaining injuries, for which he refused treatment.

Regarded as a master bomb-thrower, Keysor lobbed the Turkish bombs back as they landed in his trench and smothered explosions with sandbags or his coat.

Keysor also took part in the Gallipoli landing and fought in France after Lone Pine, including in the battle of Pozières.

“It’s a source of immense pride to be able to recognise Leonard Keysor through the naming of the oval at the UTS site,” Jewish Ku-Ring-Gai councillor David Ossip, who represents St Ives Ward, told The AJN.

“In doing so we recognise the immense contribution of the Jewish community to the Australian story and the ANZAC legend.”

The DHA said the oval “will be at the heart of the new community” of Crimson Hill, which is named for the colour of the VC ribbon.

“DHA exists to provide housing for defence members and their families,” DHA managing director Peter Howman said.

“Because of this, we believe that our development should honour Australia’s military heritage.”

The first defence families will move into new homes at Crimson Hill in 2015, the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Lone Pine.

“We thought it appropriate that these brave soldiers be honoured through the development,” Howman said.

“DHA doesn’t just build houses, we build communities. The community that will become Crimson Hill is one built on a rich history of valour and honour.

“It is one that needs to be shared with the families of these brave diggers, I ask for your help in helping us recognise these brave men.”

ALEXANDRA ROACH

Jewish Victoria Cross (VC) recipient Leonard Keysor.

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