Military Service
The Jewish community saw a number of its men go to war in Europe in both world wars. In the First World War, the men who enlisted all did so within five months of each other, in 1916. These servicemen were Israel Feldman, Morris Feldman, Julius Lewis Kaufman and Conrad Klein. Morris Feldman was only 16 when he left his job as a clerk to enlist. Conrad Klein, at 18 years of age, interrupted his apprenticeship as a tailor to sign up.
The Second World War brought the reality of casualties home to K-W families. The two sons of Mr. and Mrs. David Reider served; Private Lawrence (Lorie) Reider was killed in action in July 1944. His brother, Lance Corporal Saul Reider, was wounded in action in October 1944. Lance Corporal Samuel H. Roseman, son of Bessie and David Roseman, was killed in action just days after his comrade Lorie Reider. Samuel’s brother Joe Roseman served as well, as did Jack Gordon (of Preston), Fred Steinhouse, Leonard Atkins, and Sidney Norris.
Other boys from the community were wounded in battle. Private Sydney Brown and Gunner Dave Schaenfield both suffered casualties in battle. Private Allen Harry Brown was taken as a prisoner-of-war in December 1943 and held captive at two Stalag camps until he was liberated by Russian troops on March 7, 1945.
