STICHTING HERDENKINGSPALEN HOLLANDS KROON
Our foundation in the news
In memory of Dirk Bak
We received the sad news that Dirk Bak unfortunately passed away unexpectedly on January 16, 2024.
Dirk, the inspiring trumpet player, whose presence was a given at all our unveilings and commemorations.
Dirk, who was always prepared down to the last detail and performed The Last Post in an inimitable way as well as all the national anthems of the countries of origin of crashed crew members.
Dirk, who always paid tribute with feeling to those who paid the highest price for our freedom.
Dirk, you were always there, together with Jetty, a unit of two.
The board members of SHHK, Mark, Chris and Martin would like to thank you for your tireless efforts and we wish Jetty and family a lot of strength.
The board in the spotlight
The board of our foundation was put in the spotlight on November 18. It is with great pride that we look back on this Saturday afternoon where we were honored with the Vrienden van de Veteranenspeld
These were pinned down on behalf of the NL Veterans Institute management by Captain Ad Potters, by retired naval officer and chairman of the Veterans Contact Group Wieringen/Hollands Kroon Dick Doornik, and by former naval officer and chairman of the Stichting Veteranen Inloophuis Noord-Holland Noord Frans van Zwam.
The solemn moment was preceded by speeches by Ad Potters, Frans van Zwam and mayor of the municipality of Hollands Kroon, Rian van Dam. Our chairman, Mark Hakvoort, also said on behalf of the other board members Chris Dijkshoorn and Martin Blaauw that he was surprised but above all honored to now be able to call himself a “friend of Veterans”.
Crosses at graves of Dutch airmen in England
For several years we have been in contact with the English organization Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates (FCAFA). This organization commemorates the approximately 2500 Czechoslovaks who served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Two bombers of which the crew came from Czechoslovakia also crashed in Hollands Kroon. Remembrance posts have now been placed and unveiled for both aircraft. There is a lot of contact with this organization about this. Thanks to this organisation, we had the opportunity to be present at the salvage facility in Nieuwe Niedorp.
Recently we received the photo with the crosses sent by Tom Dolezal, Board member of the FCAFA. Tom reported that he was going to place these crosses, with our website on them, at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Brookwood and Hawkinge. 12 Dutch people are buried in both cemeteries. These men served with the Dutch squadrons that flew under the Royal Air Force. Of the twelve men, only one was killed by enemy fire. Eleven were killed in an accident, eight of which were killed when two Dutch aircraft collided. These were unknown stories to us, but through the gesture of FCAFA these stories have become more widely known and we believe that these men should not be forgotten.
It concerns the following persons:
Brookwood Cemetery:
- E.E.G. de Preter
- W.C. Dobson
- P. Engels
- J.A. IJsselstein
- P. Kwast
- J. Meester
- T.P. Mensingh
- G. Mulder
- R.D. Stoffels
- J.H. van Hagen
Hawkinge Cemetery:
- G.P.C. de Neve
- L.D. Wolters
First SHHK presentation of 2023 at OTMV
On January 27, our chairman Mark Hakvoort gave a presentation about Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon at the OTMV. About six years ago, even before the establishment of our foundation, Mark already gave a lecture here about the crash of the JN884 at the Dolfijnweg. A lot has happened in those six years and 16 memorial posts have now been placed and unveiled. So there was enough material for a new presentation at the OTMV (Old Tractor and Motors Association)
After the break of the members' meeting, Mark told his story in the Maurits bar in Niedorp, accompanied by interesting visual material.
Interview board members
In the run-up to the unveiling of the 16th, and the last one before 2022, remembrance post, the board members of Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon were interviewed by Winnie van Galen of the Noordhollands Dagblad.
The result was a beautiful and extensive article in the regional section of the NHD on October 10, 2022
Only available in Dutch
Presentation of our Foundation at the local veteran's day.
September 24 was the annual local veterans day, organized by the Municipality of Schagen and the committee Veterans Schagen. Our foundation was invited to tell us about our activities here. In village hall Ahoj in Tuitjenhorn, about 50 visitors watched and listened to the presentation that Chris Dijkshoorn gave.
Photos: Pierre Mettes
Family James Stewart visits remembrance post and cemetery Middenmeer
James Stewart was a flight engineer on the Halifax JN884 which crashed at the Dolfijnweg near Slootdorp on 26 July 1943. On April 16, 2022, we unveiled a remembrance post for the crew of this aircraft. The family of Jock Ernst Loudoun, gunner aboard this aircraft, was present at this unveiling.
On July 9, 2022, Mark Hakvoort, our chairman, received family members of James Stewart. Alan (son of James' sister) and Sue Riddel were in the Netherlands and visited the remembrance post at the Dolfijnweg. In addition, they laid flowers at Stewart's grave in the cemetery in Middenmeer. It was an emotional and beautiful experience according to Alan and Sue.
Wreath and memorial for Raymond Kennedy at the cemetery in Middenmeer
On Sunday 26 June 2022, the national monument "Missing Airmen" was unveiled in the IJsselmeer near Molkwerum. This memorial commemorates the many airmen who died in the Second World War and went missing. They have paid the highest price for our freedom. The unveiling of this moment received a lot of attention from, among others, the national press.
For this occasion, relatives of killed crew members of the crashed Stirling EH889 had also come over. One of the crew members of this aircraft, Sergeant Raymond Kennedy, is buried in the cemetery in Middenmeer. The day before the unveiling of the national monument, the Molkwar 2000 Foundation organized a tour along important locations such as the remembrance post for the Stirling in Medemblik, the place where the occupying forces blew up the dike, which flooded the Wieringermeerpolder and thus also the cemetery in Middenmeer. Our foundation, Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon, took care of the reception of the approximately 30 guests.
Fekke Bandstra of the foundation "Stichting Molkwar 2000" commemorated Raymond Kennedy in a speech after which a wreath was laid at his grave, the English national anthem was played and a minute of silence was observed. Martin Blaauw of SHHK told the relatives and other guests about how our foundation keeps the memories of killed and missing crew members alive with remembrance posts.
There were relatives of Thomas Fraser McCrorie (RAF), William Stuckey (RAF), Robert and Richard Todd (RCAF) and James Leonard Richard (RNZAF). Unfortunately, Grainger and Kennedy's family was unable to make the trip.
The NOS reported extensively on the unveiling of the national monument. Click on the image to view this report.
Juni 2020
SHKK receives a cheque form Wind fund Wieringermeer
We are very proud that just recently we have received the generous contribution of €6000-, out of the Wind Fund Wieringermeer. On June 3, 2020 the board of the foundation Windloket handed over the cheque to the board members of our foundation. Everything is recorded in this short film clip.
All this was reason for the Noordhollands Dagblad to have an interview with Chris and place an article on June 15th newspaper.
Mei 2020
Chris and Mark in NH-news about the monuments tour.
NH published an interesting article, including a short clip, about the new monuments tour. Chris Dijkhoorn and Mark Hakvoort talk about the importance of remembering the pilots and crew members who have fought for our freedom.
Maart 2020
Contribution Mondriaan fund
Recently, the board of this foundation has applied for a contribution out of the Mondrian fund. The public stimulation fund for visual arts and cultural heritage. We are very proud to inform you that the board of the Mondriaan fund has approved our application positively and has assigned funding to us, which will enable us to reach our goals; the placing of remembrance posts, collecting and sharing of the stories behind the crashes and remembering their crew members.
April 2020
No unveiling but in the news
The Noordhollands Dagblad has published an article in which it focuses on 75-year liberation and to all the preparation taken for a big celebration. On 5 May, due to the Covid-19 virus, there are not 10 remembrance posts as planned. In the article mayor Rian van Dam poses in front of one of our two posts, placed last year
Oktober 2019
Official unveiling of the 2nd remembrance post
On 25 October 2019, the remembrance post for Ivan R Moon was placed and unveiled at Vatrop. The ceremony took place at the junction of the Vatropperroad and the Gemenelanserooad. NH-news report was present to cover this story.
September 2019
The official unveiling of our first remembrance post is a fact.
On 14 September 2019, t the exact same spot where the crew of an English Whitley bomber died in 1941, the first remembrance post was placed. Eventually there will around 40 posts which will keep the stories of the deceased men alive. NH news reported extensively on this event.
April 2019
The establishment of SHHK in the media
On 18 April 2019 NH news reported on the establishment of Foundation Remembrance posts Hollands Kroon. Click here for a representation.
April 2019
De establishment of SHHK in the media
On 17 April 2019 Medemblik Actueel publishes an interview with Mark and Chris on their YouTube-channel. The interview is about the establishment of the foundation.
Stichting Herdenkingspalen Hollands Kroon
Board of the foundation
Name | Role |
Mark Hakvoort | Chairman |
Chris Dijkshoorn | Treasurer |
Martin Blaauw | Secretary |
Board members fulfill their tasks on a voluntary basis