Righteous unto the nations

Righteous unto
the Nations
Yad Vashem יד ושם
Erica Moen-Deen

Co-authors:
The following are acknowledged as contributing towards this booklet:
Anne Dunkelgrun
Culture Assistant Embassy of Israel, The Hague, The Netherlands
Brita Falk
for van Zutphen family, The Netherlands
Carolien van Thiel-Keers
for the Keers family, The Netherlands
Elly Bos-Visser
for Christina Sophia Visser-Keers and Petrus Visser, The Netherlands
Erica Moen-Deen, Australia
Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld
for Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink, The Netherlands
Ingrid Falk-Van Schalm
for van Zutphen family, The Netherlands
Martin Moen
for Moen and Deen family, Australia
Wolter Arinus Keers
for Keers family, The Netherlands
Yad Vashem
for the State of Israel
Contact details for Martin Moen
Email: martin.moen1@bigpond.com
Address: 35 Collins Street, Yokine, Western Australia, 6060
Mobile: +61 407 991 732
Note: Re Dutch Translation. The author has attempted to translate the Dutch text in
keeping with the spirit it was written.
PAGE 2
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

“Whosoever saves
a single life: saves an
entire universe”
(Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:5)
This booklet celebrates the ceremony
recognizing those who risked their lives
to save others. In particular to honour:
Cornelis and Maria Keers-Bokhorst
Piet and Stien Visser-Keers
Jan and Gon Keers-Jonker
Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink-Schuurman
Dinnie and Jan van Zutphen-Greger
who are now known as,
“Righteous Unto the Nations”
Ceremony at the home of
Gisèle d’Ailly van Waterschoot van der Gracht,
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on behalf of the
Department of the Righteous Yad Vashem, State of Israel
10 December 2013, 7 Tevet 5774
PAGE 3
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

MESSAGE FROM
ERICA MOEN–DEEN
“I am very pleased that we have been able to formally recognise some special people who took
care of me during those dark years. While it is a shame that I am physically incapable of
attending this important ceremony, I am encouraged and thankful for the effort my family has
made to represent me and the Deen family. It is also important to me that my siblings Harold
and Rebecca, who died so tragically, be remembered as part of this ceremony.
My family and I wish you all the best from Australia.”
Erica Moen-Deen
PAGE 4
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Message from
Martin Moen
In 1940 the German army invaded Holland. As restrictions against the Jewish people
increased, those sympathetic to their plight put together elaborate plans to resist the
intent of the Nazi regime. Research shows that some Dutch citizens were caught between
supporting the Germans and the extreme right Dutch party, the Nationaal-Socialistische
Beweging (NSB), or joining the Dutch underground resistance. Wolter Keers (son of
Cornelis and Maria Keers) believes that “on the one hand, the collaborators were encouraged,
through reasons of personal safety, position and money, to betray Jews and on the other hand
the Dutch Resistance helped, through food, drink, esteem and money, the rescuers to hide Jewish
people. However this appears to be true for a minority of the Dutch people. An estimated 2% choose
to join the underground resistance and unofficial figures suggest that 10%, at the most, joining the
NSB. By and large most of the Dutch people did not choose to join either group.”
My mother was a 16 year old girl when the war broke out in Holland. She was the child of
Mr and Mrs Levie and Marianna Deen, who lived at Nieuwe Brug Restaurant and Hotel,
Oud Loosdrecht, the Netherlands. Her parents and siblings Sonja, Rebecca, Lou, Ellen
and Harold were taken by the Dutch Underground and hidden in various locations around
Holland. Unfortunately Harold and Rebecca were betrayed by the NSB and perished on the
same day at Sobibor Concentration Camp in 1944.
In 1949 my mother and I travelled by boat from Holland to Fremantle, Western Australia to
join my father, Klaas Moen. He had recently acquired a farm in Bedfordale, an outer settlement
of Perth, Western Australia. The farm life that followed was tough, yet rewarding and had a
profound influence on my life. My siblings, Louise and Peter, followed shortly thereafter.
Finding out what happened to my mother and her family was a journey of discovery that
started 40 years later in 1990 when I visited my birthplace, Loosdrecht. My father’s sisterin-law
showed me a limestone war memorial, which exists to this day, with the names of a
number of war victims including that of Rebecca and Harold Deen. Until that time I was
unaware of what had happened to Dutch Jewry in Holland.
PAGE 5
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

The commonly held belief was “that the Dutch were good to the Jews”. But I found, contrary
to that view. For it was the local government authorities, collaborators and the forced
actions of the Joodsche Raad (Jewish Council) in Amsterdam who had directly or indirectly
facilitated the destruction of 8 out of 10 of Holland’s Jewish citizens. While this represented
the worst case of genocide in all of Western Europe, the Dutch people far exceeded their
European neighbour’s efforts when it came to protecting its Jewish citizens.
In the case of my mother’s family, it was the Protestant Christians who followed the teachings of
their bible that (Jews were the chosen people and must be protected) and took a lead. At the risk
of certain death, they facilitated arrangements to locate, transport, hide, comfort and feed many
Jewish people.
I have been fortunate enough to meet the relatives of those that saved my mother’s life. I
make special mention of Wolter Keers who on the 17 May 2012 facilitated an opportunity for
Ruth (my wife) and I to visit the places in Holland where my mother was hidden and to speak
with representatives of those being recognised by Yad Vashem at this ceremony.
At Lemeleveld farm I saw the location where my mother had hidden, to escape capture
under a small straw bale “cubby”. After our walk around the farm we were very fortunate to
enjoy a lunch hosted by Geerhard and Hanneke Kleinlugtebeld. That experience, 70 years
after my mother’s escape from certain death, allowed me to join together the pieces of
information gathered over the past 20 years, formalise nominations and ultimately attend
today’s ceremony with my family.
I acknowledge the work of Steven Spielberg who founded the “Survivors of the Shoah Visual
History Foundation”. In 1996 that organisation visited Perth, Western Australia and recorded
my mother’s story.
Recognising Cornelis and Maria Keers, Piet and Stien Visser, Jan and Gon Keers, Hendrik
and Mina Grootemarsink, Dinnie and Jan van Zutphen as “Righteous Unto the Nations”
brings some closure to my family. It provides me with significant comfort that the deaths of
my Aunty Rebecca and Uncle Harold will never go unnoticed.
Erica and Klaas Moen prospered in Australia and the family has grown from 3 children to
4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren and with another 2 on the way. This new life
is testament to those who saved Erica and confirms the statement echoed in the opening
words of this booklet “whosoever saves a single life: saves an entire universe”.
Martin Moen
PAGE 6
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Yad Vashem and “Righteous
Among the Nations”
“And so we must know these good people who
helped Jews during the Holocaust. We must
learn from them, and in gratitude and hope, we
must remember them.” (Elie Wiesel)
“Yad Vashem” (meaning the hand of g-d)
is an institute in Jerusalem, Israel, devoted
to honouring the memory of the European
Jews who were murdered during the Second
World War. It is also a research center
where the focus is on studying, documenting
and archiving this human catastrophe
known as the Shoah or the Holocaust.
A very important task and a mitzvah (a
Jewish religious duty or obligation) is to
honour those who, out of humanitarian
motives, put their wellbeing and those of
their families at risk to protect and save
the lives of their Jewish fellow citizens.
The Jewish people confer upon these true
heroes the highest honour to be bestowed
in the State of Israel.
During this solemn ceremony, they will
be given the title of “Righteous Among the
Nations” and their representatives will be
presented with a certificate of honour and
a medal. Their names are now inscribed on
the “Wall of the Righteous” in the gardens
at Yad Vashem, Israel. So far 24,500 people,
including 5,250 Dutch citizens, have
received this award
The medal of honour presented to the
“Righteous” was designed specifically for
Yad Vashem by the Jerusalem artist, Nathan
Karp. He has symbolically expressed on the
medal the words from the Talmud (a central
text of Rabbinic Judaism), “He who saves a
single life has saved all of humanity.”
The medal, below, shows two hands
holding a lifeline of barbed wire giving the
impression of appearing from nowhere.
The globe of the Earth gives strength and
symbolizes the concept that the Righteous
have safeguarded not only the world’s
existence but also our belief in humanity.
PAGE 7
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

this ceremony
and the families
who protected Erica
The chain of events appears to be the following:
a. Jan van Zutphen used his resources to link in with the activities of the Dutch resistance.
Prior to the war he had an association with Minister Keers. Minister Keers established a rescue
network of people, including his siblings, to facilitate the escape of Jews and Allied airman;
b. Hans Sittig was a close friend of the Deen family, especially Erica, and also associated with
Minister Keers and his underground activities. He transported Erica to Minister Cornelis
Keers house in Lemelerveld and spent up to 12 months there assisting with resistance
activities;
c. Minister Cornelis Keers arranged and transported Erica to Hendrik and Mina
Grootemarsink’s farm in Lemelerveld; and
d. It is assumed that, together with the help of this network, Minister Cornelis Keers
arranged the remaining transport and hiding places until liberation, including that
provided by Piet and Stien Visser- Keers and Jan and Gon Keers-Jonker.
The Dates and Places of Erica’s Rescue (Prepared by Wolter Keers)
Period Stayed or Hidden by, Address Town in Holland Comment and remarks
Until end of 1942 Family Deen Home Hotel De Nieuwe Brug Oude Loosdrecht
End of 1942 David de Leeuw Unknown Hilversum Stayed one night
End of 1942 Friends of parents Unknown Hilversum
End of 1942
1943
End of 1943
1944
Immediately after
Liberation
Minister Cornelis
and Maria Keers-
Bokhorst
Hendrik and Mina
Grootemarsink
Minister Piet and
Stien Visser-Keers
Jan and Gon Keers-
Jonker
Pastone Lemelerveld
Vicarage Lemelerveld
Blikman-Kikkertweg
2, 8185
Zonnebloemweg 8
Lemelerveld 8151 PJ
Vicarage Apeldoorn
Loolaan 18, Apeldoorn
7135 & Koning
Lodewijklaan 13,
Apeldoorn 7314 AR
Kloosterdijk 42 (now
renumbered to 150)
Lemelerveld
Lemelerveld
Apeldoorn
Sibculo
Jan van Zutphen Loosdrechtseweg 50 Hilversum
Stayed in hiding for
a few weeks
Stayed together
with Hans Sittig for
a few days
Stayed in hiding for
9 months
Stayed in hiding for
several months
Stayed here until
Liberation May 1945
Erica returned to
where her mother
had been hidden
during the war
PAGE 8
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

OUR
“Righteous
Among the
Nations”

The Keers Family
Members of the Keers family were brave
individuals who risked their lives to save
others. They were devout Protestants,
many of them Ministers, who actively
participated, as a support network, in
conjunction with the Dutch underground.
They rescued Jews and allied airman shot
down during the German invasion of
Holland. These devout Protestants have
not sought recognition for their brave
deeds. They do, however give permission
for others to tell the incredible story of
their bravery.
Minister Cornelis Keers and
Marie Keers Bokhorst:
During March 1944, Cornelis and Maria
changed communities and moved to
Assen. In August 1944, the Germans
declared Cornelis as “wanted” for anti-
German activities and were intent on
capturing him. This forced Cornelis,
Maria and their children (shown in this
photograph) into hiding, firstly at the
home of Maria’s parents in Loosdrecht,
and then to a small farm in Lemelerveld.
After the war, they returned to Assen. (Wil
van Rood, a Jewess, who had been staying
with them at that time found another, hiding
address in Lemelerveld.)
The Keers had 5 children:
Cornelis Keers was born November 22,
1907 in Hilversum, Netherlands. His
occupation was a Minister in the Dutch
Protestant Church firstly from 1936 in
Lemelerveld, then other places including
Assen, Rotterdam and Amsterdam until
he retired to Epe in 1972. He died there
on 7 April 1990. Cornelis Keers married
Maria Bokhorst in 1936. She was a
teacher at primary school before their
marriage.
Minister Cornelis Keers and his wife are
recognized for:
• Carolien Keers born 12 January 1938 in
Lemelerveld; (Middle)
• Lourens Cornelis Keers born 12 June
1941 in Lemelerveld (Right)
• Henk Keers born 15 December 1942 in
Lemelerveld; (Left)
• Cornelis Keers born 30 April 1944 in
Assen; and,
• Wolter Arinus Keers born 19 December
1946 in Assen.
• The time they sheltered Erica at their
house,
• The transport of Erica to Lemele Farm
with the Grootemarsink’s, and
• His intervention at the farm when
Erica had to declare her presence to the
Germans during the brief capture of
her rescuer Hendrik Grootemarsink.
PAGE 10
Cornelis and Maria Keers and pre-war family
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Minister Piet Visser and Stien Visser-Keers:
Piet and Stien Visser hid Erica for several
months in late 1943. They provided her with
shelter, food and friendship.
Their address at that time was Loolaan
18, Apeldoorn, next to the “Grote Kerk”
(Big Church). This building has since been
demolished.
Erica was also sheltered at Koning
Lodewijklaan13, Apeldoorn. This house was
demolished to make way for 2 new houses.
Jan Keers and Gon Keers-Jonker:
In late 1943 Erica moved to Sibculo and
stayed with Jan and Gon until liberation
in 1945. Jan was a teacher and lay preacher
at the local School. This couple offered
Erica shelter, food and warm family
friendship. The photo shows the window,
at roof level, that was Erica’s room during
hiding. Sibculo is only 6 kilometres from
the German border.
Koning Lodewijklaan 13 Apeldoorn 1944
Loolaan 18 Apeldoorn 1943
Sibculo School 1960 at 150 Kloosterdijk. This modified building still exists.
PAGE 11
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

An Unusual Relationship
For the duration of the war, Cornelis and
Maria Keers sheltered, a Jewess named Wil
van Rood. She was a childhood friend of
Maria and assisted her by looking after the
young family and in particular their 2-yearold
child Lourens Cornelis Keers. Wil was
affectionately referred to by the family
as Tante (Aunty) Wil. Interestingly, Erica
briefly met Wil while hiding there. Wil
gave her a serviette ring, which Erica kept
with her during the War. She gave this ring
to her son Martin in early June 2012 after
his return from Holland and his visit to the
places where Erica was hidden.
Wolter Keers Initiative 2012
On 17 May 2012 Wolter Keers facilitated an opportunity for Martin and Ruth Moen to
visit various places in Holland and speak to people who represent some of the Yad Vashem
nominees mentioned in this booklet. Wolter Keers is the son of Minister Cornelis and
Maria Keers. His initiative on the Moen’s visit to Holland in 2012 demonstrates that the
humanitarian principles shown by his parents continue to this day.
PAGE 12
Wolter Keers and Martin Moen 2012
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

How does the keers family
feel about the ceremony?
Wolter Arinus Keers (youngest child of
Cornelis & Maria Keers)
“Mijn ouders, Cor en Rie Keers-Bokhorst,
hebben vanuit een christelijke overtuiging
gedurende hun hele leven altijd veel aandacht
gehad voor de medemens en de mensen in nood.
Daar waar hun inzicht, visie, aandacht of
daadwerkelijke hulp gewenst was, gevraagd
werd of gewoon nodig was, stonden zij altijd
klaar voor degene, die hulp nodig had.Dit
vonden zij een gewone taak van ieder mens.
In oorlogstijd gold dit des te harder, met
name voor hen, die een veilig onderdak
zochten of nodig hadden. Zij waren in die
tijd aktief in het verzet en hielpen velen
aan een veilige verblijfplaats. Voor deze
inzet hebben beide ouders destijds het
Verzetsherdenkingskruis ontvangen.
During the war, their beliefs were
far more difficult to practice,
especially to protect those who
were looking for a safe place to
shelter from certain death. They were very
active in the Dutch underground resistance
movement and helped many people find
a safe haven to hide. For their efforts
they were recognised and awarded the
“Resistance Memorial Cross”, shown here.
So, today in awarding my parents with the
additional honour of “Righteous Among the
Nations” further demonstrates recognition
of their commitment to support and save
people in need and will forever inspire
people visiting Yad Vashem, Israel.
As the youngest son of Cor Keers and Rie
Keers-Bokhorst, I am pleased that my
parents have been recognised in this way.”
Nu de Eretitel Rechtvaardige onder de Volkeren
aan hen wordt toegekend, wordt een voor iedereen
altijd zichtbare waardering voor hun inzet
aangebracht in het Yad Vashem park in Israël.
Als jongste zoon van Cor Keers en Rie Keers –
Bokhorst ben ik blij met deze waardering voor
mijn ouders.”
Translation
“My parents, Cor and Rie Keers-Bokhorst,
were devout and practising Christians who
throughout their lives devoted their time
and effort to serve the needs of others.
Regardless of whatever insight, vision,
consideration or actual help was needed of
requested, they were always ready to assist
those who required help. They believed this
to be the fundamental responsibility of all
mankind.
Carolien van Thiel - Keers (eldest child of
Cornelis & Marie Keers)
De Yad Vashem onderscheiding voor mijn
ouders, Cornelis Keers en Maria BokhorstToen
ik het bericht ontving dat aan mijn ouders
de Yad Vashem onderscheiding zou worden
toegekend, was ik ontroerd. Omdat Erica Deen
en haar familie zich hebben ingespannen voor
een groepje redders van Joden. Door hun actie
van nu wordt de gewetensvolle houding en
de moed van Erica’s redders na 70 jaar weer
actueel. Nog steeds is zo’n houding onmisbaar
bij het redden en ondersteunen van vervolgden.
De staat Israel onderstreept dat door deze Yad
Vashem-toekenningen.
Erica heb ik destijds in Lemelerveld natuurlijk
niet ontmoet. Een meisje van 5 was ik toen.
PAGE 13
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Ik mocht niet weten wie zij was en waar zij
zich verborgen hield. Na de bevrijding heeft
mijn moeder mij wel veel over haar verteld en
tot in lengte van dagen heeft moeder mij op
de hoogte gehouden van Erica’s wel en wee in
Australië. Daarom hoort Erica ook een beetje
bij onze familie.
Mijn hartelijke groet aan de familie Moen-Deen
Translation
“I was very touched when I heard that the
Yad Vashem recognition would be bestowed
upon my parents. Especially that Erica Deen
and her family had gone to so much trouble
for those who had rescued Jewish people.
Through their actions the conscientious
attitude and courage of Erica’s rescuers
becomes relevant again after seventy years.
Such an attitude is essential today to rescue
and support those suffering from persecution.
The State of Israel reinforces that message
through the Yad Vashem Awards.
Of course, I never met Erica during that
time in Lemelerveld. I was just five years
old then. I wasn’t allowed to know who
she was or where she was hidden. After
the Liberation my mother told me a great
deal about her and for many years kept
me informed of how Erica was doing in
Australia. In that sense, Erica has always
been part of our family.
My kindest regards to the Moen-Deen Family.”
Elly Bos Visser (daughter of and Minister
Piet and Stien Visser-Keers)
I was very surprised when I read that Erica
Moen-Deen had nominated my parents
Christina Sophia (Stein) Visser Keers and
Petrus (Piet) Visser, vicar af the Reformed
Church, from Apeldoorn. It is fantastic and
touching that this will be recognised now.
After World War II it was almost not done to
talk about persons in hiding . It was not an
issue. The general feeling that hiding people
was what you do when you are asked to do
so. Looking back, at this time, I realise how
much courage one must have to do so.
When the war began there were already two
children in our family. Jan was 8 and Laura
was 6 years old. They were told, and think
about this, “don’t ever tell any one” ”, and
my family kept their word!
I was the 3rd child born in 1942 and we were
hiding people with the family. Hetty Schaap
was 14 years old and one of them. She stayed
during the war and after that time because
her parents did not come back from the
extermination camp.
I was born in Apeldoorn, at Loolaan 18, just
next to the Grote Kerk (the Great Church).
Under the church was a big cellar and a lot
of people safely hidden there. Our house
had 18 rooms and was claimed by the
Germans for there operations. We moved to
the Koning Lodewijklaan. The old lady who
lived there was forced to leave the house.
My Mother, Sophia (Stien), used a carrier
cycle to try to get some food and milk from
the farmers in the neighbourhood.
My brother Jan died three years ago. Till the
very end he still had nightmares about the war
especially about the great secret of the people
in hiding. He dreamt everytime that my
father, Piet, would be shot , just like Reverend
Borgers the father of one of his friends.
I am proud of my parents who were so brave
in World War II. I am grateful that they
survivied the War. It is a very special event
that our parents, so many years later, are
honoured. It is a pity, that they are not here
anymore, but I believe and I am sure that
somehow they will see us all here together
and see what is happening here!”
PAGE 14
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

The Grootemarsink Family
Hendrik and Willemina (Mina)
Grootemarsink were devout Protestants
whose farm “Genista” at Lemelveld,
country Holland served as a hiding place
for a number of Jews. The flatness and
sparse tree cover of the land meant that
the Germans and the NSB frequently
discovered Jews hidden in the country side.
Lemele and Lemelerveld were no exception
and several hidden Jews were discovered
there. Fortunately, Erica was not discovered
and is able to recall her story.
The Grootemarsink family has not sought
recognition for their brave deeds. They
do however give permission for others to
tell their unforgettable story of how they
risked their lives and certain death at the
hands of the Nazi invaders.
Hendrik was born 31 January 1906 in Lemele
and died 30 January 1987. Mina was born
16 January 1911 in Lemele and died 1 June
1992 in Lemelerveld. They married on the
24 May 1933. In 1940 they worked together
to establish a farm at Lemelerveld, Holland.
Hendrik and Mina were childless and
adopted Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld who still
lives on the farm.
Hendrik and Mina provided shelter and
food to Erica for between 9 to 12 months.
She hid in the attic of the farmhouse. Her
time there ended abruptly during a raid
staged on the afternoon of Sunday 27
June 1943. A few days later, after hiding
in the fields opposite the farm, she left for
Apeldoorn.
Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink circa 1970 Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink at their wedding 1933
PAGE 15
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld reports “There were
significant risks for people who hid Jews and
Allied Airman. When discovered, they were sent
to hard labour camps and subject to difficult
and hard circumstances that could result in
death. Moreover, they risked execution and
more, as many of these people were involved in
the resistance. Hendrik was also caught on his
farm during a razzia (raid) when the Germans
discovered clothes with the Jewish Star (Star
of David) at his farm. He was, as luck would
have it, released shortly after. The Germans
had found a further 15 Jews that were hidden
nearby. As they could not fit all the Jewish
prisoners into the truck, they released Hendrik.”
Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld reports that after
the war “The relations between Erica and the
family Grootemarsink was very good, which
can be concluded from all the letters from
Australia. In e-mails too, which I still get from
Erica, she indicates a very good contact with the
family Grootemarsink. After the war, the family
Grootemarsink also had good contacts with all
the other hidden persons”
Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld was told, “That only
a few people were aware of Erica’s stay at the
farm and they knew very well what risks were
involved for hiding persons, when caught. The
fewer people who knew about the hiding, the
smaller the chance of betrayal. Neighbours 100
meters behind the farm hid people as well and
no one mentioned it to others.”
Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld
PAGE 16
Photo taken 1985 with Erica and the Grootemarsink’s at their farm in Lemele.
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

The following was provided as further
evidence to Yad Vashem in connection to
the nominee.
The translation of this article, by Martin
Moen, is based on writings contained in
Stichting ‘t Lemels Arfgoed (Historical
Society Lemele) dated December 2008.
“Hendrik Grootemarsink was an elder of
the Protestant Church in Lemele who’s
Minister was Dominee Hendrikus Berkhof.
Berkhof sought addresses for placing Jews
in hiding and came by Hendrik and Mina
Grootermarsink who were willing to use
their house to hide people on the run.
Dominee Cornelis Keers arranged for Erica
to be hidden here. It was considered a safe
place behind the hill. The contrary appears
to have been the case as around Sunday
midday late June 1943 a white covered
truck was dispatched complete with Guards
called Kontroll Kommando, or KK - Control
Commando, from Work Procurement Camp
Erika in the town of Ommen. (This camp was
designated mostly for Dutchmen convicted
of black market trade or resistance to the
occupational authorities). The entire house
of the Grootermarsink’s was searched trying
to find Jews. Hendrik and Mina were forced
at gunpoint to have their backs against the
wall as the search progressed. Erica had
hidden herself in a small straw shelter and
was not discovered. Another Jewish girl who
was there fled and was never seen again
and presumed captured. Hendrik and Mina
had an anxious time that Sunday midday.
Hendrik was taken in the vehicle but was
later set free. At a local house in the area
some 15-20 Jews had been hiding there for
some time and were found and transported
away. The same day a raid was made on
the Geezenhuisje to the Grefeldijk where the
family Bergman lived. The Jews hiding there
were forewarned and escaped.”
“Hendrik and Mina also assisted children
suffering from a shortage of food from an
Amsterdam foundation. In 1941 came Guurt
Schouten and later in 1943 Piet Schouten.
Nellie Boven and Annie also stayed there.”
How does the family feel
about the ceremony?
Geerhard Kleinlugtebeld
“Wij vinden dit een hele fijne herkenning voor
Hendrik en Mina Grootemarsink voor hun
inzet met gevaar voor hun eigen leven mensen
te helpen die in levensgevaar zijn. Wel vinden
wij het jammer dat het postuum is, en dat het
zelf niet meemaken de herkenning voor hun
aandeel hier in. Ik weet zeker dat hun dit
geweldig mooi gevonden hadden.”
“We feel this is great recognition of Henry
and Mina Grootemarsink and for their
commitment, risking their own lives, to help
people who were in mortal danger. It is
unfortunate that they are not alive to witness
for themselves this special event as we are
sure they would have found it a significant
occasion.”
PAGE 17
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

The Van Zutphen Family
Jan and his wife Dinnie had a personal
association with the Deen family especially
Marianna and Levie (Lou) Deen. They
were good friends before and after the War.
It was the strength of this friendship that
undoubtedly facilitated the hiding and
eventual return of many of the Deen family.
From anecdotal information, and confirmed
by Erica, Jan van Zutphen facilitated the link
to the Dutch underground by association
with the Keers Family and subsequent rescue
arrangements.
Bernardina (Dinnie) van Zutphen
Oom Jan van Zutphen
Johannes Andries van Zutphen was
born in Utrecht on 7 October 1863 and
died in Hilversum on 7 June 1958. On
10 February 1887, he married Emmetje
Lamme with whom he had two daughters
and two sons.
Emmetje passed away from Tuberculosis
(TB) on the 1st May 1911, and he remarried
on 17 December 1919 to Bernardina
(Dinnie) Johanna Greger and they had a
daughter and a son.
Dinnie and Jan van Zutphen on the occasion of
their 60th wedding anniversary that was attended
by Queen of the Netherlands
Before, during and after the War
Jan van Zutphen’s family lived at 50
Loosdrechtseweg, Hilversum.
Early in July 1942 papers to report to German
Work camps (extermination camps) were
issued to the Deen family. Four out of six of
Levie and Marianna Deen’s children were
issued papers to report to Amsterdam and
then transport to Germany via Westerbork.
PAGE 18
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Jan Van Zutphen’s family and friends
realised a terrible fate awaited their Jewish
friends and were instrumental in finding
a way to hide the various members of
the Deen family. Jan, who was especially
fond of Marianna, took a significant risk
by hiding her in his house in Hilversum
throughout the War.
After the Nazi defeat and at the time
of the liberation, Erica remembers an
incident when she discovered her mother
in the protection of Jan van Zutphen
and his family at their house in 50
Loosdrechtseweg, Hilversum.
Erica recalls “The following happened when
I was reunited with my mother. I had just
returned from hiding at Sibculo and wanted
to find out what had happened to everyone. I
went immediately to our friends house, that
of Oom Jan in Hilversum and discovered my
mother there in a very anxious state.
She had not realized that this family had
saved her from certain death at the risk of
their own personal safety”.
In writing to Erica, on the 8 February 1996,
Dinnie van de Gouwe-van Zutphen, daughter
of Jan van Zutphen, wrote from Haren with
the following. “Marianna was not wearing a
“Star of David” as otherwise a random visit by
the Nazi’s would have spotted her. I know that
we got real scared once when a few Germans
stopped at the house in Hilversum. Our family
thought that we had been betrayed. Marianna
fled into the kitchen and then to the basement,
which is exactly where the soldiers had to go.
My parents had their own water pump in
the basement, and it is that what they came
to control. They were not looking for Jews in
hiding and they just ignored Marianna. They
may have realised that she was Jewish, but
nothing further happened. They either had no
idea or were good Germans.”
Bernardina (Dinnie) van der Gouwe-van Zutphen daughter of Jan
and Dinnie van Zutphen (1920–2013).
PAGE 19
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

How does the family feel
about the ceremony?
Ingrid Falk-Van Schalm (granddaughter
of Jan and Dinnie van Zutphen)
“Soms in de geschiedenis leeft er op aarde een
geweldig mens, een held. Mijn grootvader,
Jan A. van Zutphen was zo’n uniek persoon
gedurende zijn hele leven. Zijn motto was “de
sterken voor de zwakken”.
Hij streed voor de noodlijdende mens; niet alleen
als oprichter van Zonnestraal, een sanatorium
gespecialiseerd in tuberculose-bestrijding, maar
ook in de oorlog toen hij zijn Joodse vrienden liet
onderduiken in zijn eigen huis, met de hulp van
zijn moedige vrouw, Bernardina-Johanna Van
Zutphen-Greger.
Mede door hun heldenmoed konden zes mensen
van de Familie Deen gered worden en de oorlog
overleven.
Mijn familie is trots op mijn grootvader en
grootmoeder en we zijn dankbaar dat ze op 10
december 2013 geëerd zullen worden.”
“Sometimes in the history of mankind lives a
great man, a hero. My grandfather, Jan A. van
Zutphen was such a unique person throughout
his life. His motto was “the strong for the weak.”
He fought for the needy, not only as the founder
of Zonnestraal, a sanatorium specializing in
tuberculosis control, but also in the war when he
hid his Jewish friend in his own home with the
help of his brave wife, Bernardina-Johanna Van
Zutphen-Greger.
Through his heroism six members of the Family
Deen were saved and lived to survive the war.
My family is very proud of my grandfather and
grandmother and are grateful that they will be
“Honoured” on December 10, 2013.”
PAGE 20
Jan van Zutphen’s motto at the entrance to Zonnestraal, Loosdrecht
“ De Sterken voor de Zwakken” which is interpreted to mean “the
strong (humanitarian, materially, or spiritually) in society caring and
protecting those who are weak, vulnerable or less fortunate”.
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Erica Moen-Deen’s Story
Extract of Oral History by Erica Moen-Deen recorded in 1996 by Louise Hoffman et al.
“In May 1940 the Germans invaded Holland
and I was then fifteen and a half years
old. For about a year there were no radical
changes in our lives.
Gradually and slowly the pressure began to
come. We had to register and to have a “J” on
our identity cards. A little later we all had to
wear the yellow star on our outer clothing to
separate and distinguish us from other people.
When I was seventeen, the Germans came
to the high school and the officer in charge
said “All Jews out”. I was the only member
of my family in high school at the time and I
can still remember the fear I felt on that day.
(One sister had left school, my older brother
was studying engineering at university and
another sister had left school and was doing
a mother craft course. My younger brother
and sister were still at primary school in the
village.)
During 1942 the restrictions began in earnest.
Our bicycles and radios were confiscated, we
were forbidden to talk with neighbours and
we could not mix with other people. I could
not go anywhere so I stayed at home and
taught my younger brother and sister, for now
no Jews were allowed in school. I became
increasingly afraid.
known him since the age of 15. He was one
of the first to be captured and wrote to me
from Camp Westerbork. (Records shows he
was born Amsterdam on 19 November 1923
and died somewhere in Middle-Europe on 31
March 1944). His occupation was an Office
clerk. He reached the age of 20. His father
was Jacobus de Leeuw, born in Amsterdam,
9 August 1897 and also died Middle-Europe
on the same day the 31 March 1944. He was
a meat wholesale dealer and reached the age
of 46.
Towards the end of 1942, the four eldest
children in our family received letters from
the German authorities, to say that we had to
report to Westerbork. We were still unaware
of what was happening to the Jews in Europe
and my father was a very open and trusting
man, he felt that “nothing would happen to
us, for we had done nothing wrong”. How
wrong he was.
In Loosdrecht there was a youth hostel, which
prepared Jewish youth to go to Palestine.
Many of the young people there had been
sent from Germany and Austria for safety and
training. When the restrictions began, their
chances for a new life disappeared.
I had a boyfriend who lived in Hilversum
and his name was David de Leeuw. I had
Erica Moen-Deen taken 12 June 1942
PAGE 21
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

At the same time the Jews were already being
herded together in Hilversum and sent to
Amsterdam. David arrived on our doorstep,
very afraid and upset. The Germans had
taken his parents and his brother and he had
escaped by hiding under a bed. He asked me
to go with him to Hilversum, where he had
non-Jewish friends who would hide us for
the time being. I thought that we would be
in hiding for a few days, and would then be
able to return home. I just packed up a few
overnight things and we left, without any real
farewells. Little did I know that I would not
see any of my family again until the war was
over. David and I removed the yellow stars
from our coats, and walked from Loosdrecht
to Hilversum. We stayed the night with two
ladies, but in the morning they became afraid
of the danger they would face if they were
found to be hiding Jews and they became
hysterical and said - “You must leave - it is
not safe for us or for you”. David and I were
then separated and the Dutch underground
took me to friends of my parents in Hilversum
and I was hidden there for a few weeks.
Unfortunately, the baker from Loosdrecht was
delivering bread to the house one day and he
caught sight of me. Our friends then decided
that it was unsafe for me to remain there and
I had to move on. It was all very confusing
and frightening for me. I had lived at home
all my life and was now alone and literally ‘on
the run’.
From the time I first went into hiding, I was
given a new name and false papers. I was
now known as Henny van der Linden. Henny
was a real person who lived on the west coast
of Holland and was required to move inland
as part of the invasion strategy. This was
the pretence for why Henny was in the part
of Holland that I was hiding in. I never had
reason to use the papers as I was in hiding
most of the time. I understand that the Dutch
Underground obtained the papers for me.
The town of Hilversum is almost in the middle
of Holland. From there the underground
forces took me to a town called Lemele, which
was to the east, and close to the German
border. My escort was a blonde and fair in
appearance and therefore much safer to get
around by car. In those days a blond person
equated to being an Arian and therefore not
Jewish. Jewish people were easily recognised
and identified by their dark features. My
escort was a Jewish man, Hans Sittig, and
he took me by car to the house of a Minister
of Religion, Cornelis Keers. Here I remained
for a few days until a place was found for me
on a farm. The minister and his wife were
wonderful loving people. Before Maria Keers-
Bokhorst death on 1 January 2009, I wrote to
her many times.
Hans Sittig 1912-2008
After a short stay in Lemele, the Minister
Cornelis Keers, took me to a farm in the
district of Overijssel and I remained there for
almost a year. (Overijssel is a province of the
Netherlands; Lemele, Lemelerveld, Ommen
PAGE 22
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

are places in this province. The home of
Minister Cornelis Keers was in Lemelerveld,
that of Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink in
Lemelerveld.) My hiding place was in a little
attic in the ceiling. The farm was very isolated,
and some of the time I was free in the house,
for we could see people approaching from quite
a long way away. The farmer and his wife
were a lovely childless couple and we became
very fond of each other. When I visited them
after the war, in 1985, the farmer said to me “I
would have liked to adopt you”. I was given my
food in the attic and when anyone came to the
house I had to go upstairs and hide. Towards
the end of my stay on the farm, another Jewish
girl came to stay with me.
I had a feeling that I should have a safer place
to hide, in case the Nazis came to search the
house. The farmer allowed me to make a little
hiding place with bales of fresh hay behind
a farm shed. It was really uncanny, for the
week I made my hiding place the Nazis came.
The other girl escaped on a bicycle, but was
caught and never seen again. I saw the big
truck approaching from the distance, with its
white hood, and I was terrified. I hid in my
little shelter of fresh hay while they searched
everywhere. They even shot through the hay
and missed me. They tried to flush me out
using bayonets when they suspected Jews
hiding there.
In searching the house, they found a coat
the other girl had left behind, with the mark
where the Star of David had been sewn. So
they took the farmer away and left a message
with his wife. I had to give myself up to the
Germans before 6pm that day in order to
have the farmer released. The Minister knew
that this meant certain death for me and told
me to hide in the fields. Luckily, although
Hendrik was captured, only a short distance
down the road 15 Jews had been discovered
in a farmhouse. The Germans loaded them
onto the same truck and found that there
was insufficient room and promptly released
Hendrik on the condition that the owner of the
jacket had to present herself to Camp Erika, a
local internment camp.
I can remember that it was raining. I was
crazed with fear and hid in the fields between
the high wheat. Of course I could no longer
return to the farm, for now it was under
surveillance by the Dutch Nazi’s, who worked
in close collaboration with the Germans. In
the two days when I hid among the wheat
in the rain, I was so terrified that even
“the shapes of the white cows in the fields
frightened me.” They were connected in my
mind with the white hood of the Nazis’ truck
and I was hysterical with fear.
Place where Erica constructed “her “hideaway”
with fresh straw. Photo Taken 2012
Identical wheat field opposite Lemelerveld Field in
which Erica hid for several days. Photo taken 2012.
PAGE 23
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Lemelerveld Farm with Hendrik and Mina Grootemarsink in front (right) of Lemelerveld Farm circa 1940
Lemelerveld Farm 2012 House named “Genista”.
I stayed at the farm for a few more days under
enormous pressure and anxiety and was then
moved to another hiding address.
The brother-in-law of the Minister who had
placed me on the first farm was also a Minister
(Piet Visser) and a member of the Resistance.
Under cover of darkness, I was taken to his home
in Apeldoorn and another hiding place was
found for me.
This time I was hidden with Piet and Stien
Visser- Keers at Loolaan 18, in the town of
Apeldoorn - in another tiny attic. The house was
next door to the church and on three occasions,
when house searches took place, I had to be
hidden in the vaults below the church. Each
time I had to remain there for more than a day
and it was a horrible experience. The vaults
were only about a half-meter high and I had to
crouch or lie, while the rats crawled around, and
sometimes over me. The air was close and it was
damp and difficult to breathe.
Lemelerveld Farm after the War
I remained with this family for some months,
until the searches became more frequent.
In fact, soon after I left, the Nazis came
to search the house and they searched the
vaults where I had been hidden, looking for
valuables, which they believed may have been
stored there.
A brother of the Minister (Jan Keers) from
Lemele lived in a small town nearby, called
Sibculo. He was also a lay preacher and
a rescuer of Jewish people. To travel from
Apeldoorn to Sibculo, I was dressed as a
nurse and then hidden in the home of the
minister, who had four little boys. Again I
was hidden in an attic and I helped to look
after the children. The children did not know
that I was Jewish and I remained with this
family until the liberation, in May 1945.
PAGE 24
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

My first thoughts then were for my family,
for I did not know what had happened to
any of them. My home in Loosdrecht was
to the southwest of Sibculo and on the other
side of the river Ijssel. We were not allowed
to travel, for the authorities were afraid of
an outbreak of disease in the country - the
Germans had tried to starve the Dutch people
into submission and people were weak and
undernourished.
Although it was forbidden, I was determined
to go, and I decided that if I had to swim
across the river some 200 meters wide, I
would do so. I was intercepted by a Canadian
soldier, who tried to stop me and who also
took me into the woods and wanted to harm
me. I begged him to let me go and he then
took me over the river in a truck and released
me unharmed to the home of Jan van Zutphen
in Hilversum.
When I returned from there to Loosdrecht,
I found that someone else had taken over
and was living in our home De Nieuwe Brug
Restaurant. As the first person in the family
to return, I had to go to the Town Council and
ask for somewhere to live, I was penniless. Jan
van Zutphen again assisted us by arranging
for the family to resettle at the De Nieuwe
Brug Restaurant.
Ijssel River Photo taken 2012
Then I discovered what had happened to my
family. My father had refused to hide at
first, but both he and my mother were hidden
separately and survived the war. They were so
well known, loved and respected, that people
wanted to look after them.
My eldest sister, Sonja, was hidden and helped
rescue American airmen. She was picked up
with the Americans, who were shot in front
of her by the Nazi’s. On discovering her
Jewishness, she was taken to Westerbork and
survived - but that is another story.
My older brother and the sister both perished
at the hands of the Nazis. My younger sister
was hidden between the rafters of a house
with twelve other people.
My younger brother was also hidden and
survived, but he was deeply traumatized by his
experiences. His escape is also another story
that he has declined to discuss.
De Nieuwe Brug Restaurant where Erica and her family
lived prior to the war and re-occupied after the war.
Erica’s son, Martin Moen, was born here in 1949
De Nieuwe Brug Restaurant renamed
Bar-bistro ‘t Bruggetje Photo taken 2012
PAGE 25
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

The family was gradually reunited. I went
to work in the house where my mother had
been hidden. This was in the home of a wellknown
Dutchman - Jan van Zutphen.
The following happened when I was reunited
with my mother. I had just returned from
hiding and wanted to find out what had
happened to everyone. I went immediately
to our friend’s house that of Oom Jan van
Zutphen in Hilversum (see below) and
discovered my mother in a very anxious state.
I don’t believe my mother realised that this
family had saved her from certain death at
their own personal safety. My mother wanted
to leave immediately but there were problems
because her rescuers wanted her to stay on
because “after all they had saved her life”. I
offered to do the cleaning and took my mother
to find other accommodation.”
Erica shortly after the War 1945
50 Loosdrechtseweg, Hilversum, Photo taken from Google Maps 2012
The house of Jan van Zutphen and family where Marianna Deen was hidden
during the war and where the Canadian’s left Erica shortly after the war.
For Erica travels and hiding places during the War (see the Map on page 30)
PAGE 26
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Remembering Harold
and Rebecca Deen
In April 1942 Jewish citizens were ordered
to wear “The Jewish Star” and in late May
1942 there was a complete ban on travelling.
The laws tightened and in June Jews
were required to surrender their bicycles.
The Nazi’s were increasingly active and
Amsterdam became the central area for
marshalling Dutch Jewish citizens. At this
time the trade unions conducted a general
strike further angering the Nazi’s.
Harold Deen 11 February 1923 to 16 July 1943
In early 1940 Harold Deen was a civil
engineering student at the Middelbare
Technical School (MTS) in Haarlem, The
Netherlands. Daily he commuted over
100 kilometres. He planned to complete
a 3-year course in civil engineering (first
and third year were academic and second
year fieldwork)
To assist Harold the school adjusted the
education program so that the academic
requirements were completed first. They/he
reasoned that it would be best to complete
the academic studies should the Germans
increase restrictions on the Jewish people.
In May 1941 Jewish people were not
permitted to travel or move house
without a permit issued from the Jewish
Council, Amsterdam. In January 1942
the Nazi’s, through the Jewish Council,
demanded the Jewish people who had
not come forward for transportation do
so immediately.
Jewish Star the “Star of David”
These activities made it increasingly dangerous
for Harold to travel to Haarlem. His
younger sister, Erica, vividly remembers how
she and her family feared daily for his safety.
In July 1942, Levie Deen received papers
demanding that 4 of his 6 children present
themselves for forced labour in Germany.
Erica remembers the family gathered in the
main bedroom and her father saying they
“had done nothing wrong” and should do as
the Germans requested.
PAGE 27
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

from Kamp Westerbork, and died together at
Sobibor Concentration Camp on 16 July 1943.
War Memorial Loosdrecht, Holland
Annual May-Day services are held at this
war memorial in Loosdrecht Holland. The
memorial includes the names of 23 German
Jewish children, 9 resistance fighters
executed by the Germans in Loosdrecht,
a Pastor and 3 Jewish teenagers Rebecca
Louise Deen, Harold Deen and L Polak.
Rebecca Louise Deen 27 July 1926 to 16 July 1943
However Harold and Rebecca disagreed,
sensing what the Germans planned.
Hurriedly they left by bicycle to find a place
where they could hide. Eventually they
found refuge at a farm in Haarlemmermeer.
Not long after a farm hand, in retaliation for
an unrelated disagreement with the farmer,
informed the NSB that Harold and Rebecca
were hiding on the farm. It is unknown
what happened to the farmer or whether the
farm hand was ever exposed for this actions.
It is not clear what happened after they
were betrayed. However in correspondence
written by Dinnie van Zutphen to Erica
after the war, she mentions a “note” she
received during the war from Harold and
Rebecca advising, “We have packed our
luggage and are in good spirits. Please send
food parcels to Westerbork. We are being
transported to Poland.”
Martin Moen has visited the war memorial
a number of times. He has reflected on
the brutality of war and the loss of many
of his mother’s extended family. His Opa,
Levie Deen, lost 5 of his 8 siblings and his
Oma, Marianna Deen-Jolis, lost 4 of her 5
siblings. He has ensured their names and
those of their children are permanently
remembered at Yad Vashem, Israel.
Interestingly, Martin was born, at the Nieuwe
Brug Hotel and Restaurant, a few hundred
meters from the war memorial. This place
marked the commencement of his journey
to determine what happened to his family.
His son, Simon, was born on the same day
and month as Harold, the 11 February. His
daughter, Rebecca, is named after Rebecca
Louise Deen as requested by her great
grandmother mother Marianna Deen.
Additionally Ruth Moen, Martin’s wife, was
born the same day and month as Rebecca
Louise Deen, the 27 July.
Red Cross records show that Harold
and Rebecca were transported to Kamp
Westerbork, Holland, from No. 269
Nieuwendijk, Amsterdam on the 6 July 1943
and them by cattle car to Poland on the 13
July 1943. They were conveyed with 1988
Jewish prisoners, the second last transport
PAGE 28
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Limestone War Memorial
PAGE 29
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Hoorn
ilversu
m
Erica Deen’s travels and hiding places during the War
Erica Deen’s travels and hiding places in Holland
1942-1945 (total distance travelled ~400km
Kamp Westerbork
Ijssel River
River
Lemelerveld
Sibculo
German Border
Hilversum
Apeldoorn
German Border
PAGE 30
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.
PAGE 31

PAGE 32
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.
PAGE 33

Ceremony Speech
from Martin Moen
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
I am very pleased to be here today. Before we start with the ceremony, I would like to share with you
my journey was has culminated in this important ceremony today.
It has been a long journey ...and I am not talking about the 24 hours it took for my family to get here
from Australia….rather, I am referring to the journey of discovery that started almost 24 years ago. It
began in 1990 with finding the names of Erica’s siblings on a limestone war memorial in Loosdrecht
…which was very unusual and to this day I am unable to find out why….the memorial is opposite the
building, previously the townthe town hall, where my parents were married…
The journey has been exciting and emotional. In the early days of my research, I vividly remember
asking the Dutch Red Cross and the Jewish Historical Museum for information about mum’s family. I
received information on where and when they died. I spoke to my mum on several occasions sharing
with her what I had discovered. Up unto then, my mum simply did not know of what had happened
to her family. No one talked about it. I discovered that Erica was and to this day is deeply traumatised
about what happened during the war. …Gradually and notwithstanding my constant prodding she
talked, with tears in her eyes, about her own experiences…initially to me. In the following years she
has talked to schoolchildren and to Steven Spielberg’s representatives. Telling her story of survival has
helped her cope but the pain endures and the memories continue to torment her.
Since 1990, I have gathered lots of information on my mum’s story and the righteous gentiles (non
Jews) that saved her. I tried on a few occasions for Yad Vashem to recognise the families that hidden
my mum during the war. However it wasn’t until May 2012 that I really made some progress when
Wolter Keers (here today) suggested he take Ruth (my wife) and I to the places where Erica had hidden.
This gesture was significant. I was able to join all the pieces together and make a robust submission to
Yad Vashem… which you all know was accepted. As you can imagine…I was very pleased that all the
nominations were recognised.
Hatred and violence are not new phenomenon and while the horrors of WW2 will never be forgotten,
we still witness atrocities around the world. The history and the birth of the State of Israel is where at
least the Jewish people can feel some degree of safety from persecution…they are surrounded by many
obstacles and challenges, but yet they prosper…and how! …. Yad Vashem (the hand of g-d) has set the
world benchmark for recognising people who will stand up for the persecuted and the vulnerable…in
this case the Jewish people during WW2. What really sticks in my mind is why the Dutch far exceeded
any other western power for protecting the Jewish people …why was this so?
It his hard to comprehend that if it wasn’t for the actions of your families and risking their lives to
save my mum…neither family, nor myself would be here today. As you can understand, words cannot
explain my gratitude for your family’s actions.
I want to also recognise Hans Sittig and his children who are here today. Their father was instrumental
in saving Erica. This was a man Erica describes as having blond features that were typically Arian or
unJewish. Whilst this ceremony is about recognising non-Jews, it is important to also recognise Hans,
who risked his life to save fellow Jews.
The booklet that you have in front of you provides some of the history behind today’s event …this
was also in the making over the past 24 years. Its finalisation came to life when so many of you here
today submitted material to be included… The journey of discovery must continue… If any of you
have further material or know of someone who should be recognised please let me know. On page 12, I
mention a serviette ring that was passed from Tante Wil to Erica …here it is…
PAGE 34
©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.

Last, but not least, I acknowledge my father, Klaas, who passed away, aged 91, in early November.
He was an unsung hero for his Resistance efforts during the war. He provided significant comfort to
Erica during those early years after the War as she tried to understand the trauma of losing her sister,
brother and many other family members. Her father and mother completely blotted out their loss and
never spoke of it. In closing, thankyou to Yad Vashem, the Israeli Embassy, our host Anne and for
this recognition and all of you for taking the time to attend. I am so pleased and honoured to have my
family here today. It is a shame that Erica was unable to make the journey to Holland and attend this
ceremony. She is thinking of us all and would be humbled to see you all here today.
Thank you Frans and to Castrum Peregrini for making this magnificent institution available for this
special ceremony.
Simon and Rebecca Speech
Rebecca Hi. My name is Rebecca Moen and this is my brother Simon. We are both grandchildren of
Erica Moen. Being here today means a lot to us. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. In
fact, it is a moment that will stay in our minds forever.
Simon
Many of my grandmother’s family survived the war and were hidden by brave families.
Very sadly, my grandma’s brother and sister – Harold and Rebecca Deen, were killed at
Sobibor Concentration Camp. I was named after Rebecca Deen and so her memory lives on.
When our dad first mentioned this ceremony, we were very pleased. All of dad’s hard work
had paid off. Recognition for the righteous people, who helped save our grandma, was
finally happening. More importantly, the ceremony would provide some closure for our
grandma Erica, and her amazing story of survival.
Rebecca The more we started to think about it, it struck us that if it wasn’t for the actions of these
righteous people, represented by you …and the actions of Hans Sittig – my brother and I
simply would not be here today.
Simon
We are very pleased that Annabel, my oldest child is able to be with us today. In the years to
come when Annabel recalls today’s ceremony…we will explain to her and all of my children
about the brave and good things done by a few righteous people during humanities darkest
hour.
Rebecca So when our dad asked us if we wanted to join him on this journey, there was no
hesitation…we had to come. Not only to show how the family has continued…and Erica’s
legacy has lived on, but also to be here to support our wonderful dad. We have been blessed
with the best parents anyone could ask for and we have a very close family as a result.
Simon
We are both exceptionally proud of our father and his tireless work to make sure our
grandma’s story is not forgotten and importantly that there is due recognition for those
families who saved her. Our dad has been such a significant role model and has shaped who
we are today.
Rebecca It is important that the atrocities of the holocaust are never forgotten. Yet, even to this day,
humanity is still capable of terrible crimes. We must always stand up for what is right, just
as your families did almost 70 years ago.
Simon
We are looking forward to meeting you after the ceremony. Thank you for joining us today.
It means a lot to our family.
We are both proud Jewish people and strong supporters of the State of Israel. Thank you to
Yad Vashem for all your tireless work in recognition of righteous people.
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©2013 Edited and compiled by Martin Moen, Perth, Western Australia.