Memorial Killed Dutch Soldiers

The Jac Maris War Memorial in Heumen is an impressive memorial in memory of 24 Dutch soldiers who died on 10 May 1940 during the defence of the lock bridge at Heumen against the German invasion. The monument, unveiled in 1947, was designed by sculptor Jac Maris and stands at the lock on the Monumentweg.

The statue shows a female figure holding a fallen soldier in her arms, a powerful expression of mourning and care. Made of artificial stone, it stands on a brick pedestal with a plaque listing the names of the fallen soldiers. During the war, the statue remained in the garden of Maris' home, where commemorations were held annually on 10 May. After the war, the monument was given a permanent place at the lock.

Jac Maris (1900–1996) was not only a sculptor but also active in the resistance during the Second World War. He helped people in hiding, forged documents and played a role in the liberation of villages around Heumen. After the war he designed several war monuments in the region, including the monument on Plein 1944 in Nijmegen and the Airborne Monument in Oosterbeek. His former home in Heumen is now the Ateliermuseum Jac Maris, where his works are exhibited.

Text on the monument:
[IN MEMORY OF:
THE SOLDIERS WHO DIED ON 10 MAY 1940
FOR THE FATHERLAND

OF 1-26 R.I.

DR. J. POSTMA CAPT.
J. JONKER
J. ​​VAN DER WAL
M. SNIJDER
E.N. KOTTEN
J. EDINK
W.J. ANGENENT
W.L.H. GEERITS
R.W. GROEN
J. VAN EWIJK
J.J. VAN LANKVELD
H.W. WOLF
W.J.J. WOUTERS
P.C. DEN HOEDT
G.J. DE VALK
TH.J. RECKMAN
G. KOSTER
H.J. VAN DER LAAR
CH.W. VAN DE POEL
H.J. SCHAPINK
J.B. SCHOMAKER
H.J. VOS
A.J.M. WILLENBORG
H. VAN DER VLIS

The monument in Heumen remains an important place for commemoration and awareness of the sacrifices made for freedom and peace.

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Source

• Text: Fedor de Vries + RJArmy.nl
• Photos: Jeroen Koppes (1), RJ Army (2, 3, 4, 5)

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