Aalten
The house is of particular significance due to its history of occupation. During the Second World War, it was inhabited by the resistance leader ‘Ome Jan’ (Uncle Jan) Wikkerink and his family. Motivated by his religious convictions, Wikkerink was deeply involved in assisting those in hiding. He became the leader of the Landelijke Organisatie voor hulp aan Onderduikers (LO – National Organisation for Aid to People in Hiding) and the Landelijke Knokploegen (KP – National Assault Teams) in Aalten.
On Sunday, 15 September 1944, the house was surrounded and he was arrested along with several others. However, he was liberated that very same day. In retaliation for the rescue operation, the Germans threw hand grenades into the house on Patrimoniumstraat, causing the interior to go up in flames.
The house was built in the traditional brick architecture characteristic of the Interwar period, featuring a substantial overhang and strong horizontal elements, such as the bay window at the front of the property.
Owners
Overview is incomplete.
| Year | Plot | Owner | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1832 | I-167 | de Hervormde Armen van Bredevoort (Reformed Poor of Bredevoort) | 57.570 m² farmland |
Residents
Population register 1930-1940
Hendrik Jan Wikkerink (Aalten, 30-06-1896), bricklayer
Dela Gesina Eppink (Dale, 28-02-1898)
Address directory 1934
Aalten C439/2 > Patrimoniumstraat 12
Address directory 1967
Patrimoniumstraat 12
Features
| Cadastral no. | I-12553 |
| Function | House |
| Year of construction | 1932 |
| Listed | no |
Sources
