Written By Alan Good
TRAVEL - During a recent event at the Ailsa Craig Legion, two speakers made presentations concerning World War 2 in Europe and their take-away from it. After Kylie Gratton, Dini Twynstra, from the village, was next and discussed her life as a child during the war in the Netherlands, named for the lowlands.
Dini took the audience back to 1940, to her home in the Netherlands with blacked-out windows and a bomb shelter in the back yard. Food had been scarce, food stamps somewhat available, and people were reduced to eating tulip bulbs and sugar beets. However, even in those trying times people still managed to help one another.
The Resistance was very active and one, the Andre Group, was one such alliance fighting behind the scenes against the Germans. Dini’s uncle, Steve, was an active member of that group. Besides sabotaging German points and ships, they were successful in helping “hundreds” of Dutch soldiers escape from Germany, as well as British and Canadian fighter pilots.
They hid, provided clothes, identification, and an escape plan for about 900 people. Escape routes were through Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal, and those leaving were also helped by private citizens. Dini’s uncle became a leader and was noted for saving ninety pilots.
Dini’s family home was a safe house used by the resistance. A pilot named Eli Baker was one who found aid there. As frightening as it was, his escape group stopped for a beer while leaving the country. Peter moved to Brockville in the 50’s and was able to reunite with Baker.
On another occasion, Twynstra’s mother hid a transmitter under her skirt while German soldiers searched their home. Her father had been mistakenly picked up by the Germans but unbeknownst to them with sensitive papers. Keeping his hands in his pocket as they walked along, he managed to rub the paper until it disintegrated. Later he was released.
Dini’s home also was a site where ammo was hidden. Once, an explosion caused chickens to be sent flying. Other stories about how people sacrificed to get messages through and help others, even of a woman who carried ammunition under her nurse’s uniform, made for interesting listening.
The war left its mark by way of floods, widespread famine, and damaged buildings.
Dini ended her presentation by proudly displaying a doll received from a Canadian airman and some spent ammunition shells, all memorabilia from another era.
The presentations coincide with the Canadian Legion’s Centenary. The local Legion began in 1946 and current President Kris Boyd and Secretary Ellen Smit, bring attention to history and honour veterans.
