(Rekken, 1916)

Member of the 3rd Company DNB

A life in service of the motherland

Willem Albert te Raa was born on 24 February 1916 in Rekken (municipality of Eibergen), the son of Christiaan te Raa and Johanna Boerman.

During the German invasion in May 1940, he was involved as a soldier in the defence of the airfields around The Hague. After the Dutch capitulation, he returned to Rekken. At the request of Reverend Koers, he joined the resistance, subsequently becoming a member of the combatant section of the Interior Forces (Binnenlandse Strijdkrachten – BS) in the autumn of 1944.

Resistance activities in Rekken

During the occupation, Te Raa carried out various high-risk tasks. He transported weapons from Allied air-drops to his parental home by horse and cart, concealing the cargo under fodder beets. Additionally, he was involved in the distribution of food ration coupons and the dissemination of the illegal newspaper Trouw.

The Te Raa family farm provided shelter to a diverse group of people in hiding, including Jews, labour service evaders, members of the ‘Landelijke Knokploegen’ (LKP) and students. Three British airmen – Jimmy James, Bob Guthrie and Bill Rupert – also found refuge there. Despite searches conducted by the ‘Landwacht’ (NSB members), the pilots were never discovered. Military exercises were held at the location in secret.

Liberation and the Dutch National Battalion

Immediately following the liberation, Te Raa was involved with the BS in the arrest of many NSB members. In mid-April 1945, he joined the 3rd Company of the Dutch National Battalion (DNB) as a corporal. After his period with the DNB, he enlisted in the Dutch army, where he was deployed to clear mines throughout the Netherlands.

After the war

Willem te Raa chose a career as a professional soldier and remained in service until his retirement. For his multifaceted dedication – the defence in May 1940, his resistance work and his participation in the DNB – he was honoured after the war with various medals and certificates. He passed away in 2012.

Willem te Raa