Persons in the Diary
Family members:
Jan Hiemstra (Heit), The father of Sikke and my great-great-grandfather. He was a characterful Frisian and not afraid for anyone. He worked as a blacksmith in the village of Oudega (-W) and was about 64 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal archive
Jan Hiemstra on a Belgian Minerva moped. This picture was taken in 1924.
Sikke Hiemstra, the author of the diary and my great-grandfather. He was about 35 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal archive
Sikke Hiemstra reads a book in his house in Hoorn.
Tiete Hiemstra, the younger sister of Sikke. She was about 32 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal archive
On the left is Trijntje (mother) and on the right is Tiete Hiemstra.
Fokke Hiemstra, the younger brother of Sikke. He was modest and more reserved. He had a good relationship with Sikke and later worked as a postman. Fokke was one of the few in the family who could drive. He was about 28 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal Archive
Fokke Hiemstra with Jan Hiemstra (son of Sikke) and Fekke (child of Tiete).
Niene Hiemstra, the youngest sister of Sikke. She was a cheerful woman and a hard worker. She enjoyed talking and had a good relationship with Sikke. Later in life, she helped her husband with maintaining the butcher shop. She was about 26 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal Archive
Niene Hiemstra in a garden chair. This photo was taken after World War II.
Andries Hiemstra, the youngest brother of Sikke. He was flamboyant and an adventurer. Moreover, he enjoyed riding motorcycles. Andries had a good relationship with Sikke and was about 23 years old when World War II broke out in the Netherlands. Andries has served in the Vrijwillige Landstorm during the mobilization.
Source: Personal archive
On the left is Trijntje (mother), in the middle is Fokke, and on the right is Andries Hiemstra with a cat in his arms.
Ymkje de Jong, The wife of Sikke and my great-great-grandmother. She had a cheese shop that eventually went bankrupt. After that, she became a housewife and took care of the children. She was about 32 years old when the war broke out in the Netherlands.
Source: Personal Archive
Wedding photo of Ymkje.
Jan Hiemstra, the oldest son of Sikke. He had a very close bond with his father and was about 7 years old when the war broke out in the Netherlands. Later, he became a display artist by profession.
Source: Personal Archive
Jan Hiemstra with his father Sikke in the garden.
Ank Hiemstra, the daughter of Sikke and my grandmother had a strong bond with both her parents and the city of Hoorn. She was about 4 years old when the war broke out.
Source: Personal archive
Ank Hiemstra walking through the snow.
Siep Hiemstra, the second youngest son of Sikke. Later, he worked as a house painter. He was a baby when World War II began in the Netherlands.
Cock Hiemstra, the youngest son of Sikke, who was born after the war. He does not appear in the diary.
Source: Personal Archive
From left to right: Jan, Cock Hiemstra, Siep Hiemstra, and Ank.
People whom Sikke meets during the mobilization.
The last page of his diary contains a short list of names with the addresses of the people he met during the mobilization.
W. ten Wolde, a fellow brother in arm who meets Sikke at the beginning of the mobilization. He is from Zaandam.
The second name from the name list is unreadable. This person came from Weesp.
The third name from the name list is unreadable. This person came from Weesp.
Wileke, a family that Sikke sometimes visited in Naarden.
G. de Vos, one of Sikke’s best friends who is also conscripted. He is from Almelo.
A. Donker, a fellow brother in arm. He is from the municipality of Emmen.
W. Pelsma, a fellow brother in arm and friend of Sikke. He is from ’s-Graveland.
J. Lanting, a fellow brother in arm. He is from Wieringerwerf.
J. Tuininga, a fellow brother in arm and friend of Sikke. He is from Sneek.
F. Groeneveld, a fellow brother in arm. He is from Voorburg.
Galema Veehouder, a fellow brother in arm. He is from Dokkum.
J. v/a Akker, a fellow brother in arm and very good friend of Sikke. He is from Workum.
D. Brinckman, Someone Sikke meets in Amsterdam.
Klaas Cupido, a fellow brother in arm. He is from Achlum.
Soldaat Sikke Hiemstra 