Mr. Martin Van Straaten

Martin Van Straaten, 49, was a well-known oil dealer of Dutch and British citizenship and Jewish heritage.  According to the London Jewish Chronicle, he was known as a “communal worker.”  He was traveling aboard Lusitania in a party of nine that included Edgar Gorer, Frank Partridge, and Gerald Letts. He had previously sailed to the United States aboard Lusitania on 16 January 1915 with Gorer, Partridge, and Letts. Van Straaten was lost in the sinking of the Lusitania.

Van Straaten was one of the representatives of the North London Synagogue on the Council of the United Synagogue.  He had been re-elected at the election held a one week before he sailed on Lusitania, during his absence in America.  He was well-known in North London, as he was interested in local Jewish affairs.  He was a contributor to several charities and a large number of poor had been benefited by him.

Van Straaten’s body was recovered, #203, and was buried in London on Tuesday, 11 May at the Willesden Cemetery of the United Synagogue.  The press printed several tributes to Van Straaten.  Country Life had this to say about Van Straaten and his partner, Mr. Lam:  “their distinction in life was to have revived in England the use of Dutch tiles used in this country.”

The Building News praised him, saying, “Mr. Van Straaten . . . was . . . a highly qualified connoisseur in tapestries, furniture, and many kinds of curios; in these and other forms of art his judgment and taste were greatly appreciated by collectors and he will be much missed . . . .”

Mr. E. Guy Dawber wrote this in the Building News:

I am sure I shall be expressing the feelings of many architects in deploring the death of Mr. Van Straaten, who perished in the “Lusitania” last week.  Mr. Van Straaten for years past was known to such numbers that all will regret his sad and untimely end.  His kindly interest and never-failing courtesy, the artistic knowledge he displayed and the endless trouble he took to develop any new suggestions, and his general helpfulness will long be remembered by all who had business dealings with him . . . . The deepest sympathy will be extended to his family in their sad loss.

Shiva commenced on Friday, 14 May 1915, at 63, Avenue-road, Regent’s Park.

References:
Jewish Chronicle (London, England), 14 May 1915, page 2.

Jewish Chronicle (London, England), 14 May 1915, pages 10-11.

Jewish Chronicle (London, England), 21 May 1915, page 14.