(Lichtenvoorde, 1923)

Member of the 3rd Company DNB

A life in service of the fatherland

Wim te Brinke grew up in Lichtenvoorde and graduated from agricultural college. During the war, he became involved in the resistance through his friend Jan Rijks. He assisted people in hiding, transported weapons from Allied drops, and played a role in the “pilot line” (escape routes for downed airmen). Pilots sometimes hid in the Reformed Church in Bredevoort, where Rijks served as the sexton.

In early 1945, Wim and Jan Rijks were arrested by the Landwacht (a collaborationist paramilitary), but they managed to escape despite being fired upon with a shotgun. They were treated at the Red Cross post in Bredevoort and remained active in the resistance.

After the liberation in March 1945, Wim joined the Dutch National Battalion and was assigned to the 3rd Company. He carried out reconnaissance missions and assisted in the liberation of Apeldoorn.

After the war, he worked for the Ministry of Agriculture and married Rikie Rijks in 1950. They had three daughters.

Wim te Brinke passed away on 28 September 2016.

Wim te Brinke