(The Hague, 1922)

DNB Staff

From the Randstad in the Achterhoek resistance

Rie Vermaas was born on 19 June 1922 in The Hague. During the war, she walks with her sister to the Achterhoek; they found shelter with the Korten-Koskamp family in IJzerlo-Aalten, where people were in hiding. This is how she gets to know Karel Deur from Brielle, who is a member of the resistance group De Bark . Rie soon started doing courier work, which maintained contact with other resistance groups in the area.

At the end of February 1945, the group left the De Bark farm and prepared for the imminent liberation. Shortly after the liberation of Aalten, in mid-April 1945, Karel and Rie both joined the DNB army corps of the Canadian liberators. Rie is a member of the staff of commander Bob Krul. Karel is a member of the first company, led by company commander Jan Ket (who previously commanded resistance group De Bark). After the dissolution of DNB in July, DNB’s staff will remain in Roermond for the mine clearance service.

Karel and Rie married on 22 August 1945 in The Hague and had two daughters and three sons. Karel worked for the Dutch Armed Forces until about May 1947. After this, he worked for the Tax and Customs Administration. In 1959 the family moved to Ede. After the war, Karel and Rie continued to maintain contact with the Korten family and other members of the resistance group (Jan Ket, Geert Vos). Within the family, the war time is no longer talked about: “We have done what had to be done”.

Rie Deur-Vermaas dies on 10 July 2013 in Ede.