Stumbling Stone Oostersingel 18

This small brass plaque (Stolperstein or tripstone) was laid on 3 May 2024 and commemorates:

Kees Robertus, born 1892, shot during "Aktion Silbertanne" on 11 July 1944, died 14 July 1944 in Groningen hospital.

Kees Robertus was active in the resistance and wanted for a failed raid on 10 July 1944 to loot food coupons from the Zuidhorn town hall. Immediately, the SD in Groningen set up a Silbertanne commando including Gerardus Kniest from The Hague.

On 11 July 1944, 3 men rang the doorbell at night at the house of Kees Robertus on Oostersingel 18 in Groningen. His wife opened the door and her husband had to come with her.
At the Schuitendiep, shots are heard and Robertus is left severely wounded. Gerard Kniest was one of the perpetrators. Kees Robertus dies two days later in hospital.

"Stolpersteine" is an art project in Europe by Gunter Demnig to commemorate victims of National Socialism (Nazism). Stolpersteine (trip stones) are small, 10x10cm brass plaques placed in the pavement in front of a residence of (mostly Jewish) victims murdered by the Nazis. Each plaque has the victim's name, date of birth and place (usually a concentration camp) and date of death stamped into it. In this way, Gunter Demnig gives an individual memorial to each victim. One stone, one name, one person. He quotes the Talmud: "A person is forgotten only when his or her name is forgotten."

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Source

• Text: Bert Deelman
• Photos: Bert Deelman