This memorial page is dedicated to Hendricus Thijssen, 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.

 

Name: Thijssen
First names: Hendricus
Nickname: Jan
Date of birth: 25 January 1920
Place of birth: –
Residence: in Neerkant
Rank / Occupation: –
Identity tag: –
Unit: –
Date of death: missing
Place of death: Russia
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: –
Memorial site: –


Additional information

Son of

Hendricus Thijssen soon felt the urge to join the German armed forces; however, his parents, who were vehemently opposed to the idea, were absolutely unwilling to give their consent. When he turned 21 and was able to decide his own future, he set off straight away for Venlo to enlist in the German military there. His parents, angry as they were, had no desire to say goodbye to Hendricus; the only one who could still ‘see him off’ was his younger sister Til, who was working as a maid in Asten at the time. But Til, too, had no problem at all with him leaving; she, too, felt that Hendricus had made the wrong choice and was therefore also angry with him. Although the Thijssen family were entitled to extra food vouchers and the like because Hendricus was in the German military, they made no use of them as they strongly disagreed with their son’s decision. Letters they received from the front were therefore left unanswered and discarded; Hendricus consequently decided to send a letter to his younger sister in Asten, intending to return home on leave in uniform and with his girlfriend from Ukraine. Although she felt anger and hatred towards her brother and had no desire to be in contact with him, she did think of her mother, who might well be interested in reading his letter. However, his request was not accepted by his parents, nor was his request to have items sent to him. Hendricus is missing in Russia…

View all persons in the category: Residents of Deurnen who fell whilst serving in the German armed forces or civil service

View all persons in the category: Missing