Travis, Yoram (Hugo)

Son of Miriam (Irma) and Mordechai, was born on the 28th of Tevet 5626 (28.12.1925) in the city of Milan, Italy. In 1939 he immigrated with his parents to Israel and the family settled in Rehovot. Within a short time, the cheerful boy had adapted to the conditions of the country. He studied in elementary and high school and stood out among the students with his talents, alertness and lucid thinking. Although his Lev was not particularly attracted to agricultural studies, he decided to continue his studies at Kadouri Agricultural School, since he realized that the work of the land would be more beneficial to the people. Kadouri was discovered to be a talented and outstanding student in the exact sciences. After completing his studies, he joined the Palmach, where he spent two years of training and work at Kibbutz Yagur, and during this period he also participated in the Hagana’s underground operations against British rule. His discharge from the Palmach service was accepted to the Hebrew University. For three years he studied physics and mathematics with great diligence and was recognized by his teachers as having a sharp mind and talents promising him a future in the field of science. Together with his friends, he coordinated the lectures of Professor Rakech in “Theoretical Physics” as a textbook. With the outbreak of the War of Independence, he joined the Palmach and took part in many combat activities around Jerusalem, and was transferred to the position of radio engineer in Rehovot on March 31, 1948. A delay in organizing the convoy due to mishaps and mud on the way enabled the Arab forces to organize and block the convoy, which was forced to withdraw during the battle. In this battle he fell in the role of armored commander and radioman. He continued in his post even after being hit in the hand, and when the enemy approached, when there was no way to retreat, he blew the armored vehicle at its occupants. His last words from the armored vehicle were: “The Arabs attacked the armored vehicle, I am blowing up the armored vehicle, I am wounded, an end.” He was laid to rest in the cemetery in Hulda. Yoram’s younger brother, Zechariah, fell in the War of Independence four months later, in the Faluja region of the Negev.