Solomon Donald Kandler

My Great Granfather Solomon Kandler (otherwise known by his family as Shlomo [Zalman] Kandler) was born on July 26th 1918 in the East end of London. Grandpa Shlomo grew up on the same street(the street was call "The Highway") as his Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts. He was one of ten, six sisters and 3 other brothers(Rebecca, Esther, Millie, Ethel, Yetta, Sylvia, Reubin, Jacob and Ephriam). Grandpa Shlomo attended "The Highway" and St. George's - in - the - East Central Schools. His Hebrew education at the Shadwell Talmud Torah and Yeshivat Etz Chaim. At the age of 19 he founded the Talmud Torah Aid Commity.

His Father Gershon made clothes in a workshop in the back yard of the house. He was the President of St. George's and Shawell Talmud Torah.His Mother Pessel took over the clothes manufacturing factory when her husband (Gershon) passed away. The company was called P Kandler.  The whole family moved to Edgware before the war.

Grandpa Shlomo took part in the battle of Cable Street on October 4th 1936. He was put in jail over night (but not charged for anything). All the Anti-facist protesters prevented Oswald Mosely and his black shirts from marching in the East End of London.

Grandpa Shlomo was a Rifleman in World War II. He together with my Great Great Uncle Henry (my Great Grandma Alma's Brother) Joined the Territorial Army before the start of WWII. They went to war together and fought together, Grandpa Shlomo and Uncle Henry(Perkoff) were captured in Lybia. They were  in an Italian prisoner of war camp for two years and eight months. The Nazis' began to deport hundreds of prisinors, about 600 went from the camp they were in. Grandpa and Uncle Henry were going to be in the next batched, they escaped and for thirty five day they walked and hid in the mountains until they arrived in the 5th army lines(where the British were).

Grandpa Shlomo won 5 medals during the war. Whenever anyone asked him what he did to deserve them he always made up a different silly story. This proves what a truly modest, brave and wonderful man he was. All the stories I hear about his incredible, funny and loving personality only make me wish I could have met him.

this is a letter Reuben (Grandpa Shlomo's Brother) wrote to his family during the war

this is an atricle written about Grandpa Shlomo, Henry and another soldier who was captured

 with them in libya.

Grandpa shlomo (left) and Henry (right)

this is a "MIA" letter, at the time Grandpa Shlomo's family got this letter, they had no idea if he was even alive.

the cable street battle (Grandpa shlomo is at the front)

Grandpa Shlomo