Gerrit Jan Wevers
10 June 1922 – 20 March 1945

Gerrit Jan Wevers
10 June 1922 – 20 March 1945
Berkenhove Cemetery, Grave 382

Jan Wevers, victim of the bombing in Bocholt, 20 March 1945
The 22-year-old Jan Wevers is in hiding in various places in IJzerlo or Lintelo, because he does not want to work for the Germans. One evening, somewhere in March 1945, he is visiting the Nijman family who live on the Heelweg near Varsseveld. He is there because he is dating Addie Nijman, the daughter of the house. It is already well after Spertijd (20:00) when he sets off for his hiding place again.
Near the Wolboom, two Landwachters suddenly block his way. Escape is no longer possible. Although he has an identity card with him, Jan cannot produce an Ausweis. One of them recognizes Jan and he is arrested. They take him to the NSB quarter on the Markt in Aalten. There he is severely abused. He is so badly damaged that he cannot lie down or sit. He is then transferred to the prison in Bocholt.

On March 20, a heavy air raid takes place on the city in which the prison is also hit. Later, his remains are removed from among the rubble. Jan is taken to Aalten in a farmer’s cart. On the evening he is buried, the procession still has to depart because the bridge in the Dijkstraat has been blown up.

Mother Wevers is heavily overwhelmed with grief over the loss of her son (three children from the family had also died before the war).
After the liberation, father Wevers learns that Jan has been so severely mistreated at the NSB office. He also hears which landwachter is responsible for this.
In vain he waited for this landwachter several times to get a story.

Sources:
Aalten in Wartime, author: J.G. ter Horst.
Interview: Mrs. Willy Eugelink-Wevers
© Collection National Hiding Museum Aalten

Gerrit Jan Wevers
Born 10 June 1922 – Died 20 March 1945
Berkenhove Cemetery, Grave 382