Frans de Graaf

Geslacht:	Man
Vader:	Kasper de Graaf
Moeder:	Anje van der Vinne
Geboren:	11 Sept 1912	Gramsbergen
Aantekeningen:	Last Name: Graaf de First Name: Frans Date of Birth: 11/09/1912 Date of death: 07/05/1990 Rescuer's fate: survived imprisoned Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Gender: Male Profession: FARMER Place during the war: Nieuwlande, Drenthe, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Nieuwlande, Drenthe, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Other File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/1148) Frans de Graaf, born in Gramsbergen, and his wife Antje, originally from Vlagtwedde, had a farm in Nieuwlande, Drenthe. Frans and many others in his village, including Dirk van Dijken*, were active in the KP, headed by Hemke van der Zwaag*. Towards the end of the war, the Germans began to keep their eye on the village, which was known for hiding Jews. In December 1944, Frans and his brother Ake were arrested for not having reported for forced labor. They were sent to the Assen prison, where the Reverend Jan van den Bos* interceded on their behalf and succeeded in freeing them. In the meantime, the SS had commandeered the de Graafs' farm and established their Nieuwlande headquarters there. However, the family continued living on the farm despite the appalling interrogations that were carried out there. Frans did not get arrested again because he supplied the German authorities with potatoes. Although he and Antje could not actually hide people in their home, Frans was involved in caring for Jews, including R. Norden, from Haarlem. As the end of the war approached, the German noose around the village tightened. More and more people were arrested. One evening, Frans disappeared and the SS could not find him. On June 9, 1983, Yad Vashem recognized Frans de Graaf and his wife, Antje de Graaf-Deuring, as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner:	Antje Deuring	geb. 5 Nov 1913 overl. 27 Sept 1949
Huwelijk:	2 MEI 1939	Vlagtwedde