Wicher Coelingh
| Geslacht: | Man | |
| Vader: | Jan Pouwels Coelingh | |
| Moeder: | Trijntje Timmerman | |
| Geboren: | 4 Juni 1892 | Coevorden |
| Overleden: | 10 Jan 1955 | Enschede |
| Beroep: | fabriekarbeider | |
| Aantekeningen: | Last Name: Coelingh First Name: Wicher Date of Birth: 04/06/1892 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Religion: CALVINIST Gender: Male Profession: WEAVER Place during the war: Enschede, Overijssel, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Enschede, Overijssel, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/8052) Wicher and Jantje Coelingh, a poor, childless couple who belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, felt that it was their duty to help persecuted Jews. Thus, in 1943, they welcomed Herta (Hetty) Heymans (born in 1926 in Germany) and her grandfather into their small rented house in Enschede, Overijssel. Hetty was given her own room and a hard mattress and her grandfather shared a room with another elderly Jewish man named Menco, who died in the last year of the war. The house had only one tap for cold water, in the kitchen, and there was no toilet. Wicher worked as a silk-weaver for the Rigtersbleek Company, which Hettys father knew of through his work in the textile business. It was through his contacts there that he had located the Coelingh family and other hideouts for the various members of his family. Wicher and Jantje treated Hetty like their own daughter, bestowing upon her much love and affection. She was permitted to play religious music on the organ and participated in daily bible readings, always reading from the Old Testament. Towards the end of the war, Wicher was sent to work in Germany. He followed the order rather than fleeing, which would have endangered his Jewish charges. Jantje therefore was left with the task of foraging for food at local farms on her bicycle with its wooden tires and getting ration cards at the central kitchen. After the war, Wicher returned all the money that had been paid for the upkeep of Hetty and her grandfather to her father. When Hetty got married, the ceremony was held in Enschede, in the presence of her wartime foster parents, who acted as witnesses at the civil ceremony. Wicher and Jantje passed away shortly afterwards. On April 19, 1998, Yad Vashem recognized Wicher Coelingh and his wife, Jantje Coelingh-Menger, as Righteous Among the Nations. |
|
Gezin 1
| Huwelijkspartner: | Elizabeth Johanna ter Wal | geb. XXXX |
| Huwelijk: | XXXX | onbekend |
Gezin 2
| Huwelijkspartner: | Jantje Menger | geb. 10 Nov 1889 overl. 6 Dec 1950 |
| Huwelijk: | 17 OKT 1918 | Enschede |