Aaron, Arthur Louis b. March 5, 1922 d. August 13, 1943 World War II Victoria Cross Recipient. The only Leeds native awarded the Victoria Cross during World War II; he was a 1941 graduate of the Leeds School of Architecture. After earning his wings in June, 1942 he was assigned to No. 218 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Already a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Medal, he was the acting flight sergeant during the August 12, 1943 raid on Turin, Italy. His aircraft, a heavy bomber, was hit by gunfire and badly damaged. His navigator...[Read More] (Bio by: Beth Painter) Bone Military Cemetery, Annaba, Annaba, Algeria Plot: II.B.3.
Al-Jazaira, Warda b. July 17, 1939 d. May 17, 2012 Singer. Called "The Rose of Algeria" but usually known simply as "Warda", she was perhaps the Arab world's leading vocalist over a 50 year career that saw her give countless concerts and sell millions of albums. Born Warda Muhammad al-Fatouki to Algerian and Lebanese parents in the Paris suburb of Puteaux, she began singing professionally at 11 and quickly became known for performing Algerian patriotic songs. Upon her 1962 marriage Warda's husband forbade her to sing, a decision that silenced...[Read More] (Bio by: Bob Hufford) El Alia Cemetery, Algiers, Alger, Algeria
al-Qadir, Abd b. September 6, 1808 d. May 26, 1883 Algerian Independence Leader. He was born in the town of Mascara when Algeria was part of the Turkish Empire, and received a comprehensive education. He made the hajj with his father in 1825 and returned to Algeria in 1830, shortly before the French invaded and supplanted the Turks. Abd began guerrilla warfare, and within two years was the leader of the resistance. For 15 years he prevented French control, but the French finally prevailed and Abd surrendered, was detained in France, and...[Read More] (Bio by: Bill McKern) El Alia Cemetery, Algiers, Alger, Algeria
Darlan, Jean Francois b. August 7, 1881 d. December 24, 1942 French Admiral. A career naval officer, he became commander of the French navy in 1939 and joined the Vichy government in 1940 as minister of the navy. After the fall of Pierre Laval in February of 1941, Darlan was named vice premier, foreign minister, and successor-designate to Marshal Petain; he was the actual head of government. When Laval returned to power in April of 1942, he lost his cabinet posts, but was given command of the French armed forces. In Algiers during the Allied landing...[Read More] (Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye) Darlan Mausoleum, Algiers, Alger, Algeria
Rimitti, Cheikha b. May 8, 1923 d. May 15, 2006 Singer. She was born Saadia Bediaf in Tessala, Algeria. She began singing for surviving. When she sang at weddings and parties as a youth, "people gave me food to eat." The artist, whose pioneering recordings inspired younger generations in her homeland and around the world was the title of "mother of rai," the Algerian music of dissent. In Arabic the word rai means "opinion" or "way of seeing." In its early form, the music was rooted in the concerns of everyday people...the joys, the pains...[Read More] (Bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni) Cimetière de Aïn Beida, Oran, Oran, Algeria
b. March 5, 1922 d. August 13, 1943