Lewis Yelland Andrews
Encyclopedia
Lewis Yelland Andrews. He was a son of A.E. Andrews from Sydney. Andrews had fought in World War I
for the Australian Imperial Forces. He later served as British district commissioner for Galilee
. His assassination on 26 September 1937, caused Britain
to respond by outlawing the Arab Higher Committee
and the arresting of its members. His assassination was considered to represent the apex of the great Arab revolt in Palestine.
Before his murder, one of Andrews' last tasks was to organise a program for the royal commission. He allegedly used his influence in favour of partition of the British Mandate. For this, Andrews was allegedly targeted for assassination by Hajj Amin al-Husayni. On 26 September 1937, Andrews, Mr. Pirie-Gordon (the assistant district commissioner) and Andrews' bodyguard (a British police constable
) were on their way from attending service at the Anglican Christ Church, Nazareth
when they were gunned down by four Arabs.
Andrews died on the spot and bodyguard later died at the hospital. Britain immediately issued a warrant for al-Husayni's arrest and shortly later outlawed the Arab Higher Committee (which al-Husayni was chairman to). Al-Husayni escaped arrest and eventually made his way to Syria
which became the committee's new base of operations. In the absence of the established leadership, more radical politicians assumed control of the resistance movement within Palestine
itself. Anti-Zionist and anti-British attacks rapidly increased.
Andrews was buried in Jerusalem and his grave is preserved in the Protestant Mount Zion Cemetery there. He left a widow and three children.
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
for the Australian Imperial Forces. He later served as British district commissioner for Galilee
Galilee
Galilee , is a large region in northern Israel which overlaps with much of the administrative North District of the country. Traditionally divided into Upper Galilee , Lower Galilee , and Western Galilee , extending from Dan to the north, at the base of Mount Hermon, along Mount Lebanon to the...
. His assassination on 26 September 1937, caused Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to respond by outlawing the Arab Higher Committee
Arab Higher Committee
The Arab Higher Committee was the central political organ of the Arab community of Mandate Palestine. It was established on 25 April 1936, on the initiative of Hajj Amin al-Husayni, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, and comprised the leaders of Palestinian Arab clans under the mufti's...
and the arresting of its members. His assassination was considered to represent the apex of the great Arab revolt in Palestine.
Before his murder, one of Andrews' last tasks was to organise a program for the royal commission. He allegedly used his influence in favour of partition of the British Mandate. For this, Andrews was allegedly targeted for assassination by Hajj Amin al-Husayni. On 26 September 1937, Andrews, Mr. Pirie-Gordon (the assistant district commissioner) and Andrews' bodyguard (a British police constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
) were on their way from attending service at the Anglican Christ Church, Nazareth
Christ Church, Nazareth
Christ Church is a Protestant-Anglican church located in the town of Nazareth, Israel. Due to financial troubles the church was never finished: The church has no spire. Nearby lies the famous Church of the Annunciation-History:...
when they were gunned down by four Arabs.
Andrews died on the spot and bodyguard later died at the hospital. Britain immediately issued a warrant for al-Husayni's arrest and shortly later outlawed the Arab Higher Committee (which al-Husayni was chairman to). Al-Husayni escaped arrest and eventually made his way to Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
which became the committee's new base of operations. In the absence of the established leadership, more radical politicians assumed control of the resistance movement within Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....
itself. Anti-Zionist and anti-British attacks rapidly increased.
Andrews was buried in Jerusalem and his grave is preserved in the Protestant Mount Zion Cemetery there. He left a widow and three children.