The fallen resistance people in Limburg

Theo Raafs
(Theodorus Hermanus)

Theo Raafs was a gardener in Weert. He initially ignored a call for forced labor in Germany and went into hiding. After a personal visit by a policeman to his mother, he reported to the employment office. Possibly to avoid worse or because he believed that everything would not be so bad. He was arrested on the spot and deported to Germany the next day. Theo ended up as a forced laborer in Büderich, district of Grevenbroich-Neuss west of Düsseldorf. [1]
By far the largest factory in Büderich was the Böhler steelworks, where many Soviet prisoners of war as well as forced laborers from the occupied territories worked. It was repeatedly bombed. For the office personnel, there was an advanced above-ground bunker with space for 95 persons. [2]
But Theo was not among that privileged group. According to his German death certificate, he was killed in an Allied bombing raid on August 23, 1943. [3#11][3#12]
Theo Raafs is buried on the Dutch Field of Honour in Düsseldorf-Oberbilk, grave D 7 13. [3#20]
Theodorus Hermanus ( Theo ) Raafs is listed in the Erelijst 1940-1945 (Honor Roll of the Dutch Parliament). [5]

Vught • Fusilladeplaats • Former execution site • Ancien site d’exécution


Footnotes

1. brabantsegesneuvelden.nl: Theo Raafs
2. tobien.de Büderich 1943
3. Archief Oorlogsgravenstichting (@ Nationaal archief),
   Dossier Theo Raafs • #11 • #12 • #20
4. oorlogsgravenstichting.nl Nederlands ereveld, Düsseldorf-Oberbilk
5. Erelijst 1940-1945
6. Oorlogsgravenstichting.nl