us-005578-irn47126-irn47132
type: RecordSet
physical characterisitics and technical requirements: Equilateral cross shaped, bronze medal attached to a ribbon backer. Embossed on the front is a woman, Queen Wilhelmina, in left profile surrounded by a band of Dutch text encircled by an oak leaf wreath. A W is embossed at the end of each arm. At the top of the upper arm is a semi-circular loop attaching the ribbon. The ribbon has 3 vertical stripes: green, wide orange, green. The ribbon is pleated at the bottom and folded upwards, creating a rounded bottom and a double width ribbon. Two flat plates with rounded ends and Dutch text are attached to the top of the ribbon. A tapered, green cloth covered cardboard panel with 2 metal brads is attached to the back.
conditions of access: No restrictions on access
conditions of use: No restrictions on use
date: after 1940 May-1945, after 1948
has or had holder: us-005578
has or had identifier: 2
has or had identifier: 1
has or had some members with language: nld
has record set type: Item
history: The Dutch medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2002 by Paul Grootkerk, the son of Jack Grootkerk.
history: Jacques Grootkerk was born on July 25, 1913, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to Izak (Isaac) and Pauline Servos Grootkerk. Izak was born on October 31, 1882, to Jacob and Sofiah Grootkerk, a middle class Jewish family that had been in the Netherlands for many generations. He was a fabric merchant in Amsterdam. Pauline was born on January 27, 1885, in Germany, to Salomon and Regina Liman Servos. Jacques had one younger brother Erich, born on November 30, 1919, in Amsterdam. The family was not religious. On March 6, 1940, Jacques married Hedwig (Hedi) Justus, a Jewish refugee who had fled to the Netherlands in 1934. Hedi was born on February 27, 1918, in Nieder-Ohmen, Germany, to Juda (1878-1923) and Klara Wertheim (1881-1943) Justus. Hedi had 5 siblings: Julius, Herman (Herbert), Bertha, Rosa (Ruth), and Ludwig. By early 1940, three of Hedi’s siblings, Ludwig, Ruth, and Julius, had emigrated. In May 1940, Germany invaded the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and France. The Nazi occupied government implemented anti-Semitic legislation restricting the rights of Jews and created laws to punish anyone helping Jews hide or escape. By January 1941, all Jews had to register with the authorities. Jacques was summoned by the Jewish committee for a forced work placement in Germany, and he fled. Jacques and Erich left Amsterdam on December 3, 1941. They biked to Antwerp and were caught crossing the French border. They were released and walked to Maubeuge, France. The brothers travelled south, through German patrolled zones, to Paris. Sympathetic family friends there helped Jacques and Erich find people who could get them to Vichy France. They went to Tours and met with men who told them to cross the bridge during the changing of the German guards. They continued to Loches on foot. Once they arrived, a French detective found them and threatened to arrest them. The next day, the detective explained that he was a counter-intelligence officer and wanted to help. He bought them train ti…
identifier: irn47132
is or was included in: us-005578-irn47126
record resource extent: overall: Height: 3.125 inches (7.938 cm) | Width: 2.000 inches (5.08 cm) | Depth: 0.375 inches (0.953 cm)
results or resulted from: 1
scope and content: 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.
title: Dutch Commemorative War Cross awarded to a Dutch Jewish soldier, Prinses Irene Brigade