The Deathcard of Sergeant Timmermans. 

Below you will find article from the AD Dordtenaar from 2016. tells the interesting story of two collectors and memorial card of Conscript Sergeant Timmermans.
Alexander Korsman found the memorial card of Sergeant Timmermans at a militaria fair. After he posted the card on Facebook, it caught the attention of Jeroen Zegelaar, who is also a collector of war memorabilia. Coincidentally, Zegelaar is related true his son to Mrs. Pol-Timmermans, the sister of Sergeant Timmermans. And so it happened that after 76 years, the memorial card finally found its way back to the direct family, leading to an emotional reunion for Mrs. Pol-Timmermans.

Perhaps another remarkable coincidence is that we visited the military cemetery De Grebbeberg in September 2016. It is the final resting place of Sergeant Timmermans. Below you can see a photo we took of his grave.

Sergeant Hendrikus Cornelus Timmermans, like many thousands of other Dutch men, is called up for mobilization in 1938. He is assigned to the Regiment Wielrijders ( Bicycle Regiment )  in Apeldoorn, where he is promoted to sergeant in January 1939. After a year, he goes on a furlough, only to be mobilized again after five months. However, it is during this time that the Germans invade our country. On the night of May 11th to 12th, Sergeant Timmermans is moved across the Merwede river with the 2nd battalion of the 1st Regiment Wielrijders to engage in battle with the German paratroopers who have landed in Dordrecht.

And it leads to a confrontation. As the Germans have brought in reinforcements in the form of Gruppe de Boer, and the Dutch Light Division is about to launch an attack, a clash occurs with German paratroopers on Krispijnse Weg. Sergeant Timmermans is shot near the Julianakerk and manages to crawl to a house with his severe abdominal injury only in the evening. Initially, the residents of the house provide him with shelter. They call for an ambulance, which takes about an hour and a half to arrive due to the ongoing fighting. Sergeant Timmermans is then taken by the ambulance to the Roman Catholic hospital. There, he asks a nurse to write a letter to his parents on his behalf. In the letter, he reassures them not to worry and asks them to visit him as soon as possible.

But it takes a different turn. On 17, 1940, Sergeant Hendrikus Cornelus Timmermans succumbs to his injuries. At the age of 22, his tragically short life comes to an end. Initially, he is buried in Dordrecht, but his body is later transferred to Apeldoorn in July 1940.

On October 26, 2012, he is to rest with military honors for the final time at the Grebbeberg Military Cemetery. His grave can be found in row 14 - grave 21.

Sergeant Hendrikus Cornelus Timmermans. Rest in peace. .

The above photo is from : www.Defensie.nl 

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Sources:
- www.defensie.nl.
- Zuidfront-Holland1940.