This memorial page is dedicated to Berend Derks, one of more than 725 war victims connected to the municipality of Deurne documented by Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers. The municipality of Deurne and the surrounding villages of Liessel, Vlierden, Helenaveen, Neerkant and Zeilberg were liberated in the autumn of 1944 during heavy fighting. Victims fell on all sides: Allied soldiers from countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and New Zealand, and German soldiers.

But the archive covers more than just the combat victims on Deurne soil. Residents of Deurne who lost their lives elsewhere are also commemorated: civilians who were murdered in concentration camps, forced labourers who died in Germany, people who were executed or succumbed to the effects of persecution and oppression. In addition, residents of Deurne who entered German military service and were killed elsewhere are also included.

Stichting Oorlogsslachtoffers has been documenting the story of all these people since 1995, without distinction of nationality, side or background. The goal is to give every person a name and a face, and to keep their memory alive.

 

Berend Derks

Name: Derks
First names: Berend
Nickname: –
Date of birth: 19 August 1898
Place of birth: Deurne
Residence: H 84, Helenaveen
Rank / Occupation: Peat worker
Identity tag: –
Unit: –
Date of death: 5 March 1945
Place of death: Salzgitter-Reppner (Germany), Camp 24
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: Dutch War Cemetery in Hanover (Germany)
Memorial site: War memorial in Helenaveen

 

Additional information

Son of Jan Derks and Aaltje ten Caat. Widow: Aaltje Bremer.

Grave location: Section F / Grave 58

On Sunday 8 October 1944, during the 7.00 am Mass, German paratroopers (Fallschirmjäger) surrounded the two Rijkswerkkampen I and II in Mariaveen. The people were driven out of the chapel whilst Mass was being held. The Germans blocked off the roads and searched the church and all the houses. All the men and boys were herded together and marched away in a long, sombre procession. Without food or drink, without extra clothing. Some were still in their nightclothes. According to the Germans, they were to go to work in Maasbree or Helden, but in reality they were being deported to Germany for forced labour (Arbeitseinsatz).

From 16 October 1944, Berend Derks was put to work as a ‘Hilfsarbeiter’ at the firm ‘Reichswerke AG, Hermann Göring’ in Salzgitter. He died in Lager 24, also known as the ‘Todeslager Reppner’ (Reppner death camp). This camp housed, amongst others, sick and incapacitated prisoners; most died as a result of inadequate care or were given a lethal injection. It is not deemed necessary to state the cause of death for Berend Derks; he was buried on 14 March 1945 at Jammertal Cemetery, grave section IV (row 10, grave number B). On 18 December 1953, his remains were reburied at the Dutch War Cemetery in Hanover.

Cemetery record card
Friedhofskarteikarte

View all persons in the category: Died in concentration camps and as a result of forced labour