This memorial page is dedicated to Johannes Henricus Berkers, 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: Berkers
First names: Johannes Henricus
Nickname: Harrie
Date of birth: 21 April 1929
Place of birth: –
Residence: 100 Kanaalstraat, Liessel
Rank / Occupation: –
Identity tag: –
Unit: –
Date of death: 28 October 1944
Place of death: Liessel
Cause of death: as a result of shelling
Cemetery: Roman Catholic Cemetery in Liessel
Memorial site: War Memorial in Liessel
Memorial site: War memorial at St Willibrord’s Church in Liessel

Additional information

Son of Petrus Berkers and Geertruda Schrijnewerkers. Brother of Geertruda Berkers and Petronella Gerarda Berkers.

Grave location: C-C 01

Date of death as inscribed on the monument: 30 November 1944.

See also: The life story of Jack Berkers

On 27 October 1944, the Germans launched an unexpected counter-attack from Helenaveen and Meijel. Residents of Liessel fled in great haste to Deurne and Asten. The Americans stationed on the front line were unable to repel this attack. The 15th Scottish Division, which had just liberated Tilburg, came to their aid. After heavy fighting, often hand-to-hand, including in the Dennendijk woods, the German offensive was repelled. For a brief moment, Liessel made world news. War correspondents described the battle as one of the fiercest since the Normandy landings.

After the entrance to the air-raid shelter was hit by shellfire, Johannes Henricus Berkers and Petronella Gerarda Berkers fled to a nearby pit where they had lain for a day and a night, under heavy fire.  Petronella Gerarda Berkers survived for a whole day after she was wounded.

Joint memorial card
Gezamenlijk bidprentje

Death register
Overlijdensregister

View all persons in the category: Residents of Deurne who lost their lives in Deurne