Grootkerk family papers
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.
Biographical materials include identification papers, ration books, military papers, and receipts documenting Jacques and Hedi Grootkerk’s refugee status, Jacques’ time in England, his military service, and his military decorations.
The two correspondence series primarily consists of letters and telegrams between Jacques and Hedi during the war, some of which were transmitted via Jacques’ uncle Abraham Leuw. These series also include Leuw’s letters to Jacques and Hedi, correspondence from Jacques’ parents and brother and from Hedi’s siblings, and official correspondence to Jacques in England and Hedi in Switzerland regarding their refugee status and his military service.
Personal narratives include Erich Grootkerk’s Onze Weg naar Engeland; Jacques Grootkerk’s untitled essay about his flight from the Netherlands, journey through Belgium, France, Spain, and England, and his military service in the Princess Irene Brigade; and notes and essays about the brothers’ refugee experiences, including a talk on “Impressions of England” Jacques prepared for the British Broadcasting Corporation.
Photographs depict Jacques and Hedi individually, together, with family members, and with the Princess Irene Brigade in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France.
Printed materials include a set of photo postcards documenting the German surrender, a booklet documenting the Princess Irene Brigade, and souvenirs from Jacques’ time in England including a bus map, lecture and dance tickets, postcard, and laundry tag.
- Date
-
inclusive:
1930-1996
bulk: 1930-1951
- Genre/Form
-
Photographs.
- Extent
-
1 glass slides.
- Extent
-
3 boxes
1 oversize box
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Paul Grootkerk and the Estate of Paul Grootkerk
-
Record last modified: 2021-11-10 13:01:24
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. Some of these materials may be combined into a single collection in the future.
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.
Wood and metal cigarette box
Object
Wooden cigarette box with pressed metal hinged lid decorated with city scenes, and a pressed metal floral border around the sides.
Metal nameplate
Object
White painted metal with "I. Grootkerk" painted in black capital letters. The nameplate was from 67 Achillestraat in Amsterdam.
Stickpin
Object
Stickpin worn by Jacques Grootkerk on his military uniform while a member of the Princess Irene Brigade in 1942. The pin has a red crown and length of red and blue rope.
Pin
Object
Pin worn by Jacques Grootkerk on his military uniform while a member of the Princess Irene Brigade in 1942. The pin depicts a lion.
Clip
Object
Clip worn by Jacques Grootkerk on his military uniform while a member of the Princess Irene Brigade in 1942. The pin depicts a lion and the word Nederland.
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.
Pair of engraved napkin rings
Object
Pair of metal napkin rings; one engraved with the name "Izak" and the other with the name "Paula", the names of Paul Grootkerk's grandparents.
