Memorial Marinus Van Emst

This monument was unveiled on August 12, 2004, by Marianne de Boer-Van Emst, sixty years after her father was killed by the occupying forces.

Marinus van Emst was born on January 12, 1894 in Vierhouten. He was a forester by profession and also a councilor for the Christian Historical Union in the municipality of Ooststellingwerf. As a member of the resistance, he was an employee of the National Organization for help to people in hiding. He made shelters for Jews and other people in hiding. He also mapped the forest for allied paratroopers. His resistance work meant that Van Emst had to go into hiding in the summer of 1944. On August 12, 1944, his daughter Marianne's birthday, he came home and would spend the night because his wife had her birthday the following day. He was then arrested at home by the occupier. He was taken to the police commander on Bruggelaan and interrogated there. Van Emst did not let anything go and was then taken to the woods near camping Us Blau Hiem, where he was shot.

Van Emst is buried at the Dutch Reformed cemetery in Appelscha. Near the Van Emstplein, on the Van Emstweg, both of which are named after him, this plaque is placed on a wall along the road.

Since March 22, 2022, another memorial plaque, in memory of forest ranger Van Emst, has been hanging on the wall at the Van Emst apartment complex on Van Emstweg. When the information panel of the historic RAAF walking and cycling route was installed, the original sign was removed and given to daughter Marianne. However, on August 12, the anniversary of Van Emst's death, placing a commemorative bouquet at an information panel did not feel right. That is why the Historical Association Appelscha e.o. decided that a new commemorative plaque should be created.

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Source

• Text: Gerrit Hazenberg en Freek Dijkstra
• Photos: Freek Dijkstra (1), Gerrit Hazenberg (2, 3)
• Spanvis.nl