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Gool, van, Desiderius H. (Bertus)

Date of birth:
May 3rd, 1918 (Sliedrecht, Netherlands)
Date of death:
September 13th, 1987 (Sliedrecht, Netherlands)
Nationality:
Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Desidirius Hubertus van Gool, pseudonym Bertus, was a machine bench worker from Sliedrecht. He and another crosser (Co Bakker) made the first trip through the Biesbosch to Drimmelen on the night of 5-6 November 1944 for the Albrecht Group. This was the beginning of a permanent liaison line with canoes and rowing boats between occupied and liberated territory for conveying messages for the Dutch Intelligence Bureau. Also hundreds of people including Allied pilots, or soldiers left behind after the Battle of Arnhem were also transferred. The main routes were from Sliedrecht to Lage Zwaluwe and from Werkendam to Drimmelen but crossings were also made from Hardinxveld and Papendrecht. On the way back the crossers carried food and medicines such as Insulin in particular. As crossmaster, Bertus coordinated these crossings from his parents-in-law's home "De Wilgenhorst" in Sliedrecht. Besides his managerial role, he also made 6 crossings himself.

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