Monument Sergeant Swart Meppel

On November 16, 1940 a monument in memory of the Dutch sergeant Anne Willem Swart was unveiled at the RK cemetery in Meppel. This monument fell into disrepair after many years and disappeared from the cemetery. In 2015, residents of Meppel took the initiative to realize a new monument to this soldier.

On November 16, 2015 the new monument was unveiled at the Rumptigerpad on the place where the sergeant lost his life in May 10, 1940 while defending Meppel. The monument was adopted by the two elementary schools located in the area where the sergeant was killed. A wreath laying ceremony is organized annually around May 10. This involves children from both schools and someone from the municipal council is also present.

Sergeant Anne Willem Swart, born August 30, 1907, is reburied on the Grebbeberg Military Field of Honor. He served in the Infantry Regiment 2-33 during the May Days of 1940. He was killed when the earthen bunker, in which he was defending himself against German superiority, was hit by a German shell. A piece of shrapnel ended his life. Sergeant Swart is the only Dutch soldier who died in Meppel in May 1940.

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