Grootkerk family papers
- Date
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1930-1996
1930-1951
- Genre/Form
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Photographs.
- Extent
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3 boxes
1 oversize box
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Paul Grootkerk and the Estate of Paul Grootkerk
The Grootkerk family papers consist of biographical materials, correspondence, personal narratives, photographs, and printed materials documenting Jacques and Hedi Grootkerk’s marriage in Amsterdam, Jacques’ flight to England via Spain and service in the Princess Irene Brigade, and Hedi’s flight to Switzerland via France. The bulk of the collection is comprised of love letters between Jacques and Hedi while they were separated during the war.
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Record last modified: 2018-11-06 10:46:29
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn511888
Also in Jack and Hedi Justus Grootkerk family collection
The collection consists of military uniforms, medals, ribbons, and pins, correspondence, documents, photographs, and publications relating to the experiences of Jacques (later Jack) and his family in the Netherlands before and during the Holocaust and his escape to Great Britain and military service during the war, as well as the experiences of Hedi Justus Grootkerk and her family in the Netherlands before and during the Holocaust, her escape to France and Switzerland during the war, and in the United States with her husband Jack after the war. Accretion: Artifacts and photographs illustrating the pre-war life of the Grootkerk family. Included are nameplate [I. Grootkerk] from 67 Achillestraat in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Izak and Paula's [donor's grandparents] residence, two napkin rings engraved "Izak" and "Paula", humidor and cigarette box, photographs include images of Izak, Paula, and their son Jacques, their daughter-in-law Hedi [Paul's parents], Fredrick Servos [Jewish-German friend of Jacques who visited family in Amsterdam]. Also included are two small images of engagement party for Jacques and Hedi Grootkerk, 1938, in the Netherlands, Jacques amd Hedi's wedding dinner in which Izak and Paula's son Eric is seen as well as Hedi's mother, Klara Justus-Wertheim and Hedi's brother, Herbert Justus both of who did not survive. Also included are three pre-war pins or medals worn by Jacques Grootkerk on his military uniform while a member of the Princess Irene Brigade in 1942.
Military blouse, trousers, and General Service Cap worn by a Dutch Jewish corporal in the Prinses Irene Brigade
Object
Military blouse, pants, and General Service Cap worn by Jack Grootkerk, 29, who served in the Dutch Free Forces, Prinses Irene Brigade from September 1942 to September 1945. The Brigade was formed in England in 1941 by the Dutch government in exile and Dutch Army personnel who had escaped German occupied Europe. The unit wore British battledress uniforms with Dutch insignia. On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands. In December 1941, Jack was told to report for forced labor in Germany. He and his brother Erich fled to France and Spain, and were interned several times. In fall 1942, they reached Great Britain and Jack joined the Brigade. In July 1944, the Brigade entered combat in Normandy. The Netherlands was liberated on May 5, 1945. Most of Jack and his wife Hedi’s family were killed in German concentration camps.
Cross of Merit medal, ribbons, and pins awarded to a Dutch Jewish soldier, Prinses Irene Brigade
Object
Kruis van Verdienste [Cross of Merit] medal, ribbon, and presentation box, two ribbon bars, and a gold bar pin awarded to Jack Grootkerk, a Dutch Jewish soldier in the Prinses Irene Brigade, Dutch Free Forces from September 1942 to September 1945. The Brigade was formed in England in 1941 by the Dutch government in exile and Dutch Army personnel. The unit wore British battledress uniforms with Dutch insignia. On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands. In December 1941, Jack was told to report for forced labor in Germany. He and his brother Erich fled to France and Spain, and were interned several times. In fall 1942, they reached Great Britain and Jack joined the Brigade. In July 1944, the Brigade entered combat in Normandy. The Netherlands was liberated on May 5, 1945. Most of Jack and his wife Hedi’s family were killed in German concentration camps.
Dutch Commemorative War Cross awarded to a Dutch Jewish soldier, Prinses Irene Brigade
Object
Oorlogsherinneringskruis [Commemorative War Cross] medal awarded to Jack Grootkerk, a Dutch Jewish soldier in the Prinses Irene Brigade, Dutch Free Forces, from September 1942 to September 1945. The honorary medal was presented to all Brigade members who landed at Normandy in 1944. The Brigade was formed in England in 1941 by the Dutch government in exile and Dutch Army personnel. The unit wore British battledress uniforms with Dutch insignia. On May 10, 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands. In December 1941, Jack was told to report for forced labor in Germany. He and his brother Erich fled to France and Spain, and were interned several times. In fall 1942, they reached Great Britain and Jack joined the Brigade. In July 1944, the Brigade entered combat in Normandy. The Netherlands was liberated on May 5, 1945. Most of Jack and his wife Hedi’s family were killed in German concentration camps.
