This memorial page is dedicated to Jan Piekarek, 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: Piekarek
First names: Jan
Nickname: –
Date of birth: 7 May 1925
Place of birth: Neu Mösland
Residence: –
Rank / Occupation: Grenadier
Identity tag: 3348 – Infantry Replacement Battalion 489
Unit: –
Date of death: 17 October 1944
Place of death: Liessel
Cause of death: –
Cemetery: German Military Cemetery at Ysselsteyn
Memorial site: –


Additional information

Grave location: Section P, Row 8, Grave 188

Jan Piekarek was buried in a temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) at Loon in Liessel. This cemetery was established opposite L.247 (Johannes Damen) by the 15th Division, 87th Group, Scottish Grenadiers, who had set up a hospital in Johannes Damen’s barn. On 14 July 1945, there were still 31 graves at this Cemetery; Bertram S. Butz’s grave was the first one in the front row (counting from left to right).

From this temporary cemetery, the remains were transferred by the Allies to the German military cemetery on Mierloseweg in Mierlo (Section IV, Row B, Grave 13), from where the remains were finally reburied at Ysselsteyn on 8 October 1948.

A report on the transfer, containing identification details and drawn up by the Identification and Recovery Service, may be available for inspection from the author.

Temporary cemetery (known as 87TH GP) at the Loon in Liessel
Tijdelijke begraafplaats (genaamd 87TH GP) aan het Loon te Liessel

The following victims were also buried at this cemetery: click here for an overview

View all persons in the category: German soldiers killed in action