At the young age of 20, London native Esther Cailingold moved to Mandatory Palestine in 1946 to teach English. After witnessing the growing Arab violence, Esther decided to join the Haganah, where she received military training and became the organization's English-language broadcasting service announcer.

When the Old City of Jerusalem was besieged, Esther volunteered to be sent in with one of the convoys.

Under the guise of a schoolteacher, Esther was able to enter the Old City and served as a liaison between the various outposts, bringing food, water, and ammunition.

On May 16, 1948, the Arab Legion invaded the Old City of Jerusalem and started shelling the Jewish Quarter. Because her role as liaison was made impossible due to the continuous shelling, she took up the position of a Sten Gunner.

Shortly after, a shell exploded on the building that Esther was entering, shattering her spine. After a week of fighting for her life, Esther passed away on May 29, 1948, her last words uttered while refusing a cigarette because it was Shabbat: "No," she whispered, "Shabbat."