There are three Dutch servicemen buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery: Jacob Groenewoud, August Bakhuis Roozeboom and S. Swarts.
JACOB GROENEWOUD
Jacob Groenewoud was born on 8 November 1916 in Amsterdam. Upon being called up for military service in 1935, he was medically discharged due to poor eye-sight. Whilst working in South Africa, Germany invaded the Netherlands in May 1940. Groenewoud then volunteered for service with the Royal Dutch Indies Army but again did not receive a favourable response.
In December 1940, he commenced work with a firm as an accoutant, on the understanding that he was no longer able to perform military service due to his poor eye-sight. However in September 1941, Groenewoud was informed that he was suitable for service in the UK. He arrived in the UK on 17 February 1942 and joined the Princess Irene Brigade.
In 1944, the now Lieutenant Groenewoud was selected for training with SOE as a member of Jedburgh team “Claude”. Together with the two Americans Lieutenant Todd and Sergeant Scott, they were to enter the Netherlands; whose liberation could not been that far away. On Sunday 17 September 1944, the team landed by glider but quickly became separated from Sergeant Scott. Groenewoud and Todd travelled with the 1st Parachute Brigade HQ to Arnhem Bridge, arriving at the bridge during the evening.
On the Tuesday 19 September, the lack of medical supplies for the British troops holding the northern end of Arnhem Bridge was all to obvious. So Groenewoud and Todd both volunteered make an attempt to reach a nearby Doctor’s house and then contact the local St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to arrange for medical supplies. They had only gone a very short distance before coming under fire. Groenewoud was killed instantly by sniper fire whilst Todd managed to get through. However the Germans had told hospital staff that they would be shot if they attempted to supply the British troops.
For giving his life, in an attempt to produce medical supplies for the wounded soldiers, Groenewoud was posthumously award the Military Order of William 4th Class.
There is also a small sqaure located near the north end of Arnhem Bridge, named after Groenewoud and commemorating his sacrifice.
Captain Groenewoud is now buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery: plot 20, row B, grave 12.
AUGUST BAKHUIS ROOZEBOOM
Private Roozeboom was a member of No. 2 (Dutch) Troop, No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, who landed together with his party on 17 September 1944. He was killed in fighting around the Hartenstein Hotel (Oosterbeek). Initially he was interred as an Canadian, before being correctly identified in 1996. Private Roozeboom is located in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery: plot 1, row A, grave 6.
S. SWARTS
S. Swarts was a resistance worker from Amsterdam. He conveyed, using his car, many wounded personnel to the casualty station which had been established in the Tafelberg hotel. On 20 September 1944, his car was hit by a shell and he was killed. After the war, his widow decided that his remains stay in the Cemetery as he had died during the Arnhem-Oosterbeek battle. His remains are located in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery: plot 16, row B, grave 18.