Aaltensche Courant, 26 October 1945
Quite unexpectedly, Her Majesty the Queen visited our municipality. On Wednesday afternoon, the cars carrying Her Majesty the Queen, her secretary, Miss Geldern, and her private secretary, Mr Kohnstam, approached from the direction of Dinxperlo and stopped outside the home of Aalten alderman H. J. Wikkerink, better known in resistance circles as “Oome Jan”.
“Oome Jan” had an impressive record in the underground resistance during the occupation years and was now living in his workshop, “Nooit Gedacht”, because the Germans, enraged that they had been unable to capture him, set fire tohis house next door. The Wikkerink family had only been informed of the royal visit a few moments beforehand.
Her Majesty, who arrived around one o’clock, stayed for more than half an hour in the home of “Oome Jan” and enjoyed a cup of tea with relish. Meanwhile, several prominent workers from the illegal movement had gathered in the living room and were soon engaged in a busy conversation with Her Majesty.
From the conversations, it appeared that She was already aware of the important work carried out here in the Achterhoek during the war years, and She inquired with interest about various details. Both “Oome Jan” and Messrs. Lichtenberg of the L.O. and Allersma of the K.P. spoke of the underground work and the dangerous tasks that had to be completed. They also recalled the spontaneous cooperation of the population and the aid to the West in the form of wagonloads of rye bread, which were sent at a very low price.
An interesting detail was the presence of Mrs Jedwab with her young son, who at the time had been left as a foundling on the doorstep of “Oome Jan’s” home while his parents were in hiding. The Jewish boy was lovingly taken in and given the nameWillem Herfstink, as autumn had begun that very day. The Revd Kuijper also spoke about theraid, which had taken place in the Reformed Church on 29 January 1944, when 42 people in hiding were arrested and only a few managed to escape. Themayor, who was also present at “Oome Jan’s”, likewise spoke about some of the events of the preceding years.
Her Majesty had originally intended, during her tour of the region, to visit the “Somsenhuus”, the farm belonging to Mr Prinsen in IJzerlo, where so much underground resistance work had been carried out during the preceding years. Members of the K.P. had found shelter there for a long time, as had a number of British airmen who remained there until the liberation. The farmhouse burned down after the liberation following a lightning strike. The visit did not take place. Between Dinxperlo and Aalten, the cars turned into a side road near the Prinsenboschje, where the party had some refreshments in the cars.
A massive crowd had gathered in front of “Oome Jan’s” home, where the monarch was heartily cheered. Upon her departure, the Wilhelmus was enthusiastically sung. This day will surely remain long in the memory of “Oome Jan” and his comrades, who so often risked their lives in the struggle against the oppressor and did so much for our people and fatherland.