Stumbling Stone Wilhelminastraat 11

A Stolperstein was laid here in Sliedrecht on 18 September 2021 in memory of: Gerrit Gijsbertus de Bruin, born 1924 succumbed on 30 september 1944 in Kieritzsch, Landkreis Borna. This Stolperstein is here for a Merwede hostage. Merwedegijzelaars were young men rounded up during a raid on 16 May 1944 in retaliation for two land guard members killed in gunfight with the resistance on the night of 9-10 May 1944. Jacob was reburied on 21 December 1948 in Sliedrecht. "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 usually the last voluntary residence of victims murdered by the Nazis. Each plaque is stamped with the victim's name, date of birth and place (usually a concentration camp) and date of death. 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."