Niklaas Meindert Buurma

Geslacht: Man
Vader: Jan Frederik Buurma
Moeder: Meinderdina Moesker
Geboren: 13 Juli 1905 Finsterwolde
Overleden: 10 Sept 1969 onbekend
Religie: Ned. Hervormd, geen
Beroep: verpleger, kantoorbediende, adm. ambtenaar ter gemeentesecretarie
Aantekeningen: Last Name: Buurma
First Name: Niklaas Meindert
Date of Birth: 13/06/1905
Date of death: 10/09/1969
Rescuer's fate: survived
Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS
Gender: Male
Place during the war: The Hague, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue Place: The Hague, Zuidholland, The Netherlands
Rescue mode: Hiding
File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/2301)
In winter 1942, Leo Schatz of Amsterdam moved in with Niklaas Buurma and Hillegonda Buurma (later van der Molen*) in The Hague, South Holland. He had previously been hiding with Johanna de Boer-Koeman*, also from The Hague, but her place had become too dangerous for him to remain. All those who helped Leo in The Hague were members of the Vrije Groepen Den Haag (The Hague Free Groups), an organization of people who, motivated by compassion for the oppressed and a strong aversion to the unjust and barbaric regime, took care of about 300 Jews. Leo, an artist, together with Wim Polak, who had been in the printing business before the war, and his wife, Bea Polak-Biet, an author, managed to publish a number of children’s books illegally while in hiding. (Throughout 1943, Niklaas and Hillegonda also intermittently hid Wim and Bea). These books were sold throughout the war and the money made was used to purchase food cards and other necessary items. Leo stayed with the Buurmas until summer 1943, when he was moved to the home of the van Tol* family, also members of the The Hague Free Groups. (See also Weerheijm, Louis and Johanna.)
On June 3, 1982, Yad Vashem recognized Niklaas Meindert Buurma and Hillegonda Wilhelmina van der Molen-Smits as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner: Elisabeth Petiet geb. 13 Dec 1898
Huwelijk: 28 OKT 1931 Den Haag
Scheiding: 13 Apr 1937 Den Haag

Gezin 2

Huwelijkspartner: Hillegonda Wilhelmina Smits geb. 9 Nov 1912 overl. 17 OKT 2000
Huwelijk: 12 Aug 1938 Den Haag