Hendrik Geeraert (Nieuwpoort July 15, 1863) was a simple skipper from Nieuwpoort who played an important active role in the flooding of the Yser plain during the First World War. He co-opened the lock gates on October 29, 1914, and throughout the war he was active in the company that operated the Sluizen. After the war, Geeraert and Karel Cogge enjoyed hero status. He died on January 17, 1925 in Bruges, a large crowd was present at his funeral. In the 1950s his image appeared on a 1000 franc note.
Today we find many things in Nieuwpoort that refer to him.
There is a memorial plaque to him on this building.
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