WELCOME

WELCOME

During the second World War the Allied and German soldiers, who were killed in Goirle and in the neighbourhood, were buried at the Roman Catholic cemetery from the parish St. Jan in Goirle.

After the war the remains of the German soldiers were reburied in Ysselsteijn (near Venray) and most of the allied soldiers were reburied in Bergen op Zoom (War Cemetery and Canadian War Cemetery) and in Leopoldsburg (Belgium, War Cemetery).

Every year we commemorate the victims of World War II, both soldiers and civilians.
We know their names, but who were the persons behind the names? What were their lives before they died? Where did they come from? How did they die? Under what circumstances?

It is my intention to give the victims a face, to write and keep the story behind the gravestones because we always will remember the soldier who died for our liberty.

We can forget names, but not faces.
I will try to write down all their stories for the next generation so they will know who was commemorated. But how ? Last year november I met Barrie Walters on the internet and together we decided to start the projct Keeping their Memory Alive. (See: But for a stone....)

Maybe you can help us in this matter. Send me or my friend Barrie a letter or an e-mail with additional information, a photograph or a copy of any personal document, which I can use for The Memory Book or a website.

Thank you in advance for your help
Gerrit Kobes
Goirle (Netherlands)
Click here to mail me

Barrie Walters
Rochford Essex (U.K.)
Click here to mail me

COMMEMORATION 2011

On October 27th, 2011 it’s exactly 67 years ago that Goirle was liberated from the German suppression. In Goirle are buried 27 military allies and 1 military of Goirle origin, who during the 2nd World War gave their lives for our freedom.
They are buried at the Cemetery St. Jan at the St. Jansstreet in Goirle.

The veteran organization Bond of Wapenbroeders (Armsbrothers), department Middle Brabant, want to pay attention to the freedom that we got back and to the sacrifices of the allied military then given. Out of gratitude and respect we want to commemorate them.
Together with children of group 8 of the Elementary school de Bron , who have adopted the monument and the graves of the persons killed, we will reflect on the understanding “Freedom” .

The ceremony will take place on Saturday October 22th. 2011 at 16:00 at the graveyard of the St. Jan in Goirle.
You are hereby invited to attend.
Invited and visitors of the commemoration are requested to meet at the central location of the graveyard.

After the ceremony you will have the opportunity to share a cup of coffee at the Cultural Centre Jan van Besouw. ( after liberation in 1944 the military hospital was established here, where a large amount of allied soldiers, now buried in Goirle, died).

Please let us know if you want to attend this ceremony and whether you wish to place flowers at the monument.
Your coming will be very much appreciated.
In name of the board of the department Middle Brabant..
Jan Schrijver, Chairman.
You can sent an email to Gerrit Kobes (see for his address above)
[Translation: Reni Majid.]