This memorial page is dedicated to Jacobus Johannes Hendricus van Heijster, 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.

 

Jacobus Johannes Hendricus van Heijster

Name: van Heijster
First names: Jacobus Johannes Hendricus
Nickname: Sjaak
Date of birth: 9 March 1917
Place of birth: Deurne
Residence: 142a Helmondsestraat, Deurne
Rank / Occupation: Soldier / Tailor
Identity tag: –
Unit: Staff of the 2nd Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Regiment
Date of death: 21 May 1940
Place of death: Calais, Pas-de-Calais department (France)
Cause of death: bombing
Cemetery: Unknown in France, in the Pas-de-Calais department
Memorial site: Dutch War Cemetery, Orry-la-Ville (France)
: War memorial at St Willibrord’s Church in Deurne
: Memorial in Rhenen
: Provincial Memorial ‘The Brabant Soldier’ in Waalre

Additional information

Grave location: Seaman’s grave

Son of Jozef van Heijster and Allegonda van Heijster-Molders.

Jacobus Johannes Hendricus van Heijster was killed in action off the coast of Dunkirk, aboard the French steamship ‘S.S. Pavon’ of the Compagnie de Navigation d’Orbigny. This ship, carrying 1,430 Dutch soldiers, was en route to Cherbourg but was struck amidships by a German aerial bomb.

Sjaak in his younger years …
Sjaak in zijn jongere jaren ...

Sjaak as a conscript, with the cycling musicians, cycling and playing the clarinet at the same time.
Sjaak als dienstplichtig soldaat, bij de wielrijdende muzikanten, al fietsend en klarinet spelend tegelijk.

The French steamship ‘S.S. Pavon’
Het Franse stoomschip 's.s. Pavon'
Memorial card
Bidprentje
Joint memorial card
Gezamenlijk Bidprentje

View all persons in the category: Dutch Soldiers Killed in Action