Person:Shimon Stern (1)

Simon Stern was born in Fulda, Germany, and was one of eight children of Max Stern and Henriette Weilburg. As of this writing little is known of his childhood and life growing up in Fulda.

Simon was assigned to the Headquarters of the 5th Reserve Field Artillery Division in World War One. Based on photographs taken of him in that time, his rank was 'Gefreiter' (PFC equivalent). His unit had the sad distinction of having fought on both the Eastern and Western fronts of the war. The dates of his military service are unknown; it is also unknown if he was ever wounded or received any decorations or commendations during his time in the war. He corresponded when he could with his brother Emanuel, who was at the same time fighting with the 43rd Field Artillery Division, 4th and 9th Batteries, in France. Thankfully he survived the Great War and returned home to work for his father.

Simon Stern worked in the paint factory started by his father, Max Stern. The factory was called the Lack und Farbwerke Stern, A.G., Fulda, but was commonly known as the Lackfabrik. When his father died, he inherited the Lackfabrik, and managed it with his brother, Fritz. He was very successful, and was able to open a second paint and varnish factory in Cardiff, Wales, called the 'Pearl Varnish Company', which was located at the Treforest Trading Estate near Cardiff. He co-managed this factory with Fritz. Recently the name of the company has changed to Pearl Technical Coatings. See: http://home2.btconnect.com/mandacf11/Article_19_March_2001.html Apparently, the Stern family is not associated with Pearl any longer.

When the Nazis took power in Germany, Simon was forced to sell the Lackfabrik in Fulda to the Rhodius Brothers for far below fair market value. Simon and the remaining Sterns relocated to Cardiff, where they lived during WWII. The Rhodius Paint Factory in Fulda, Germany still existed as of March 2008.