Date of birth:

October 21st, 1898 (Winschoten, the Neterlands)

Date of death:

September 10th, 1944 (Bierum, the Netherlands)

Buried on:

Dutch War Graves General Cemetery Winschoten
Plot: 06. Row: 015. Grave: 20.

Nationality:

Dutch

Hilbrand de Bruin, Ruurd's brother, had a leading position in the emerging resistance in Northeast Groningen in October 1943. As a grocer, Ruurd visited many people in and around Winschoten. Because Ruurd was hardly noticed, he soon got an important task in the resistance. He delivered ration cards and illegal magazines, and relocated people in hiding. Because Ruurd's brother soon played a leading role in the KP and LO in Winschoten and the surrounding area, Ruurd took over the most important tasks almost unnoticed.

In addition to the resistance work, Ruurd, as the eldest of the family, also had responsibility for the two people in hiding, who stayed with the family for a considerable time. The Sicherheitsdienst learned of Hilbrand's work in August 1944 and raided the house on 8 September. Both brothers were at home, and Ruurd was listening to Radio Oranje upstairs, and Hilbrand was in his hiding place. The SD searched the house, but could not find Hilbrand's hiding place. Ruurd was then terribly abused and interrogated, but he refused to reveal the location of the hiding place. The SD men went on a rampage, photos were torn from the wall and trampled on; shots were fired in the corners and through the walls.

Hilbrand could hear everything and was terrified. When the SD men had stopped ranting and Hilbrand remained untraceable, Ruurd and his sister Grietje were taken away. They were interrogated at the police station in Winschoten and from there transferred to the SD station in Delfzijl. On 10 September 1944, Ruurd was taken from his cell and shot between Holwierde and Krewerd. The next day, he was found by citizens who then alerted the police.

Because the SD had confiscated all identification papers, it was impossible to identify Ruurd. After the police had taken a few photos, he was buried by local residents. In June 1945, the de Bruin family learned the location of Ruurd's grave. The reburial took place in Winschoten on July 5, 1945.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

• Photo 1: J.Niemeijer "Hoe Groningen streed".
• Photo: Bert Deelman
  
• - Ruurd de Bruin | Oorlogsgravenstichting
  - Ruurd de Bruin | Erelijst van Gevallenen 1940-1945
  - Een onbekend graf in Krewerd
  - Ruurd de Bruin (Winschoten (gr), 21 oktober 1898 - Holwierde (gr) - Krewerd, 10 september 1944) - Netwerk Oorlogsbronnen
  

Helaas geen map gevonden.