Hamer, Gideon (Gidi)

Gideon (Gidi) Hamer, the only son of Henia and Rafael, was born on the 6th of Kislev, (30.11.1927) in the city of Gorhomura, Bukovina, Romania. In the days of horror of the Second World War, the whole family was deported to Transnistria, where his mother died of starvation. Gideon came up with the first immigration of the orphans of Transnistria in 1945. Once in Israel, he studied as part of Youth Aliyah and completed the Agricultural School in Einot. From there he went to the Hachshara in Hanita and joined the Palmach. Gidi was a shepherd, quiet by nature and diligent, a lover of nature. At the outbreak of the War of Independence he took part in the battles of Mishmar HaEmek. After the village of Rubia-al-Fawqa which was next to Mishmar HaEmek was captured, he was sent to an advance lookout, where he was shot with two bullets in his head by an Arab sniper. He was taken to the hospital in Afula, underwent surgery and died on 4 Nissan 5708 (13.4.1948). He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Afula.