The death card of Sergeant Timmermans
Alexander Korsman found the death card of Sergeant Timmermans at a military fair. After he posted the card on Facebook, it got the attention of Jeroen Zegelaar, also a collector of war material. It so happened that Zegelaar is related to Mrs Pol-Timmermans, the sister of Sergeant Timmermans. And so it had to happen that thedeath card after 76 years finally found its way back to the direct family. Which was an emotional reunion for Mrs. Pol-Timmermans.
Perhaps another remarkable coincidence is that we visited the military cemetery De Grebbeberg in September 2016. It is the final resting place of Sergeant Timmermans. Below you can see a photo we took of his grave.
And it leads to a confrontation. As the Germans have brought in reinforcements in the form of Gruppe de Boer, and the Dutch Light Division is about to launch an attack, a clash occurs with German paratroopers on Krispijnse Weg. Sergeant Timmermans is shot near the Julianakerk and manages to crawl to a house with his severe abdominal injury only in the evening. Initially, the residents of the house provide him with shelter. They call for an ambulance, which takes about an hour and a half to arrive due to the ongoing fighting. Sergeant Timmermans is then taken by the ambulance to the Roman Catholic hospital. There, he asks a nurse to write a letter to his parents on his behalf. In the letter, he reassures them not to worry and asks them to visit him as soon as possible.
But it takes a different turn. On 17, 1940, Sergeant Hendrikus Cornelus Timmermans succumbs to his injuries. At the age of 22, his tragically short life comes to an end. Initially, he is buried in Dordrecht, but his body is later transferred to Apeldoorn in July 1940.
On October 26, 2012, he is to rest with military honors for the final time at the Grebbeberg Military Cemetery. His grave can be found in row 14 - grave 21.
Sergeant Hendrikus Cornelus Timmermans. Rest in peace.
