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Denkema, Douwe

    Date of birth:
    February 16th, 1891 (Surhuizum, the Netherlands)
    Date of death:
    April 8th, 1945 (Norg, the Netherlands)
    Buried on:
    Dutch War Graves Doezum
    Row: 13. Grave: 21.
    Nationality:
    Dutch

    Biography

    Lived in Opende, Kaleweg D 493. Son of Lubbe (Hendriks) Denkema (15 December 1835 Doezum - 15 February 1919 Grootegast; the surname Dinkema was recorded in the birth certificate) and Johanna (Sierks) Dijkstra (7 October 1847 Grijpskerk). Married in April 1926 in Grootegast to farmer Antje Hoekstra (24 May 1884 Surhuizum - 6 January 1977). His wife was previously married to Douwe's brother Hendrik Denkema (17 October 1881 Doezum - 29 January 1924 Grootegast). Farmer. Reformed. Resistance member belonging to the LO-Grootegast. According to his card in the Groningen resistance archives, his farm was a refuge for all kinds of people, including Jews and a young German soldier who would later betray him. The card also bears the note 'He had weapons that were made available to a Frisian KP.' After his arrest he ended up in the House of Detention in Groningen. From there Denkema was transported to the Oosterduinen near Norg shortly before the liberation, where he was shot with seven others. Since 4 May 1985 Denkema's name has been on a monument on the Voorsteweg in the Oosterduinen.

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    Sources