Helena and Jacobus Reiniers
Above you see the deathcard of Helena Cornelia Reiniers and Jacobus Reiniers. Helena was born on June 29, 1918, in Moerdijk. Her younger brother Jacobus was born on April 4, 1922. Both were killed in May 1940 in Moerdijk.
In May 1940, heavy fighting took place in Moerdijk, especially on May 10. Leentje and Koos were the daughter and son of Mr. Reiniers, who was the operator of the steam pumping station on Zwaluwsedijk in Moerdijk, just outside the village near the Moerdijk bridges. German paratroopers landed near the pumping station. Awakened by the noise of the aircraft and the sounds made by the paratroopers, they got out of bed and went into the kitchen. The paratroopers heard movement, and suspecting the presence of Dutch soldiers, immediately opened fire as they entered. Koos was killed instantly, and Leentje died three days later. Both had gunshot wounds to the chest.
Jacobus died on May 10, 1940, at the age of 18, and Helena three days later on May 13, at the age of 21. Both were buried in a mass grave in the Monastery Garden. The graves have likely since been cleared.
