Henri Bernard SINDORFF

Henri Bernard Sindorff, here around 87, reached the age of 93 years.

Henri Bernard Sindorff, called Harry,  was born in Venlo the Netherlands (Europe) on 30 April 1921, deceased 19 September 2014 buried in Tasmania, being the third child of Jean Joseph Wilhelm SINDORFF (1889-1936) and his mother Maria Bernardina Clothildis Jacoba WEIJERS (1889-1975). Siblings were his older brothers Jan Karel Sindorff (1915-1944) and Willem Marianus Sindorff (1917-1988) and younger sister Maria Francisca Sindorff (1926-x).

The family lived during the time that the 1st World War, between 1914-1918, took place, even though the Netherlands was neutral, living so close to the Belgium border the family may have experienced effects, and during the 2nd World War between 1940-1945 Henri lost his older brother Jan Karel Sindorff, just before the War ended, being a part of the LBD, the air defense. The family was registered living in Tilburg around 1937, in the St. Christoffelstraat 7 in Roermond and in the Jonckbloetlaan 13 in Eindhoven.

At the age 12, in a weekly magazine for roman youth, a publication appeared related on some schools including the Mattheusschool on Belletable straat in Venlo and Fr. Weel, St. Josephnschool Oudorp, St. Pancras, magazine, jr g 18, 1933, no. 25, 24-06-1933

Yearbook, jrg1 (1935-1936) - Bisschoppelijk College Roermond (issued 1935)

In the Tilburgsche Courant newspaper of 25 July 1939 Henri is reported to join the Nijmeegse 4 days walk event in 1939 together with his 17 year old friend Dirk Hofland enrolled at the "age 40" group. They were schoolmates.

Dirk Hofland and Harry participating in the canoe competition at the lyceum school published in the Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant newspaper on 26 July 1940, just after occupation by the German's during the World War II started.

At the age of 19, Harry passes his exams at the St. Odulphus Lyceum in Tilburg for Gymnasium, issued in both Algemeen Handelsblad 20-06-1940 as well as in Nieuwsblad van het Zuiden 18-06-1940 both newspapers.

Henri is Vice President of the school board in 1939 at St. Odulphuslyceum - issued for 40y lustrum

Source: Delpher.nl The entire St. Odulphuslyceum in 1939 (est.450-600 students/teachers)

World War II (1940-1945) - Tilburg

In may 1940 Tilburg was already targeted by German bombing, resulting into 14 death and Tilburg remained an extremely heavily target during the war in less a material way. Also Dutch Wikipedia published on these events (link headline) "92 inhabitants from Tilburg died during enforced labor", "of 400, 130 Jewish people murdered" and the fights to liberate Tilburg from 14 to 27 October 1944 costs 54 people from Tilburg their lives, including Henri's oldest brother, Jan Karel Sindorff, who died on 26 October 1944 close to his home. Jan Karel was part of the LBD, the Lucht BeveilingsDienst, or the Air Defense.

The battle of Tilburg - Exercise block 1208 and block 604 February & July 1944. May 1940 the German occupier arrived in the North of province Brabant, including Tilburg .A winter aid was set up by German sample to provide food initially for anyone. Henri's brother Jan was a clerk at the Town Hall and during the war. Jan became block head at the LB and Henri voluntair of  the Lucht BeveiligingsDienst (Air Protecting Service). Jan deceased during shooting of Tilburg close to his home in the prof. Donderstraat. The shooting Tilburg October 1944 report

and Henri badly injured.

Picture from "Oorlogsleven" web

1944 - Archive Tilburg - nr. 16060025 Tilburg Detailed description WWII. Air Protection Service. Exercise of block 1208 and block 604 on February 26, 1944. The exercise took place on the grounds of T.V.B. (Twennerij and Ververij Broekhoven). In the photo from left to right: Frank van Spaendonk, René Gimbrère, P. Bots, van Haaren, Arie Beukers, Jan Simdorf (Jan Sindorff, likely with white helmet; head), J. van Hees, P. Knegtel, Harry Sindorf, Joop Brouwers.

Dating from 26-02-1944 Street Broekhovenseweg Photographer Unknown

1944 - Archive Tilburg nr. 16060032. Tilburg Detailed description WWII. Air Protection Service. Exercise of block 1208 and block 604 on February 26, 1944. The exercise took place on the grounds of T.V.B. (Twennerij and Ververij Broekhoven). The volunteers with tools and bicycles. The photo includes J. van Hees, Frank van Spaendonck, Jan Sindorf (the head of this block team including his borther Henri), P. Knegtel, René Gimbrère, P. Bots, Arie Beukers. Dating from 26-02-1944 Street Broekhovenseweg Photographer Unknown Origin - Henri Bernard Sindorff likely white coat.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060031 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknonw author

World War II. Air Protection Service. Exercise of block 1208 and block 604 on February 26, 1944. The exercise took place on the grounds of T.V.B. (Twennerij and Ververij Broekhoven). Passing buckets of water to extinguish a fire. In the photo J. van Haaren, Rene Gimbrère, P. Bots, Arie Beukers, Jan Sindorff, Henri Sindorff, among others.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060036 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060038- exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author - july 1944 (A. Moens en M. van Heesh, H. Sindorff, J. Sindorff..)

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060039- exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author july 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060037 - First Aid exercise Block 1208 & 604.- unknown author.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060033 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944. LEft Van Grinsven, in front in middle Ms .Vinks and A. Moens, right An Dekker.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060028 - exercise Block 1208 & 604.- unknown author. feb. 1944. Left René Gimbrère, probably the main with black coat P. Bots. White helmet J. Sindorff.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060027 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060030 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060040 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author july 1944. Left W. Wouters-de Rooij, right next to 'victim' doctor G van Loon. Right possibly Mr. Wever.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060034 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 1606029 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944 including Arie Beukers, Joop Brouwers en René Gimbrère.

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 1606026 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author feb. 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 16060042 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author july. 1944

Origin: Tilburg Archive number 1606041 - exercise Blok 1208 & 604.- unknown author july. 1944

Mededeelingenblad voor Tilburg; 02-11-1944

'On Tuesday morning, the solemn funeral of Mr. Jan Sindorff took place in the St. Jospeh Parischchurch on the Heuvel. There was more than the usual interest for this sad ceremony, and more than the usual sympathy for the bereaved mother and family of the deceased. Jan Sindorff was a young man of 29 years, someone with golden gifts of mind and heart. He was the head of the air protection unit and carried out this work with seriousness and conscientiousness; nothing was too much or too burdensome for him.

The day before the liberation, when shells had fallen in his neighborhood as in so many streets elsewhere, he immediately went out to assess the damage and see where help was needed. His mother asked him, as any mother would, whether it was not still too dangerous, but he replied: 'Mother, duty comes first.' With his brother ( Henri) he went out, when almost at the same time a shell hit the pavement in front of his house, Jan Sindorff was killed, his brother seriously injured. This is also the death of a hero on the field of honor, which can likewise serve as an example to all of us, that in his way, each of us, by working at our tasks for all, fulfills our duty and makes our sacrifices.

Many do it and have done it without us knowing, perhaps to mock others. But God knows, and that is enough. Let us pray that the Lord accepts these offerings and the offerings of all noble souls for the peace of our homeland. And may the tears and prayers of the mothers, who were made to bear such suffering, willingly offered to God, benefit us all and bring salvation to our people.'

List of war victims and the war warriors in the final days in the area:

Henri lost his is brother Jan 0n 26 October 1944, just one day before the World War II ended in Tilburg in the battle of Tilburg and was seriously injured.

Henri left the Netherlands with the Holland America Line 25-26 January 1950 from Rotterdam, via Fremantle, West Australia to Sydney by Steam Ship Volendam

Henri became mechanical engineer, teacher, a father and grand father, naturalized Canberra, Glenara Lakes, Youngtown Tasmania.

Source photo https://nl.pinterest.com/pin/738660776365987948/ Vintage Photos "for each and everyone" Henri lost h

Henri marries Sydney Australia on 24 August 1950 with Petronella Hubert Hermans (Nel), born Eindhoven, the Netherlands (Europe) 23 May1929, deceased 7 July 1989 Tasmania state of the commonwealth Australia. Nel moved also to Australia, Archive Gemeentearchief Rotterdam: H.A.L.: 318.06. 296-519 aanmonsteringsboeken (453) 5 November. 1947 - 09 June 1950, also arrived (19) January 1950.

From this marriage:

1. J.A. Sindorff 🖊️(Jodi) ❤️(R.)

2. K.P. Sindorff 

3. R.H. Sindorff 

4. R. - Sindorff.

5. J.M. Sindorff

Bruddars Cup 2009

Henri is committee member of a group Dutch immigrants in Australia, making a request to the Dutch community overseas, by means of a Dutch article in the newspaper Volkskrant 27-07-1954 - to sent more priests, just 2 years after his uncle Franciscus Raimond Henricus Sindorff deceased, who at young age was stationed at the Abbey in Zundert, in the south of the Netherlands (NL), for vocation to the priesthood, however became a building constructor/architect and passed away in Apeldoorn (NL) close to the episcopal seminaries in Apeldoorn and close to his own home in Hoenderloo did made at least one journey to Indonesia, unknown if he ever made it to to Tasmania or Australia.

This painting of H. Sindorf in my opinion may be assigned to Henri Bernard Sindorff. On invaluable.com auction placed for sale by Bargain Hunt Auctions in October 08, 2023 Thornleigh, Australia - "Lot 7200:  H Sindorf, Dutch School 20th Century, A Street Scene with Numerous Figures on a Market, Oil on canvas, 49 x 59 cm. (19.2 x 23.2 in.), Frame: 61 x 71 cm. (24.0 x 27.9 in.)" Estimated to be worth Euro 0, AUD sold for 550 AUD. In contact with Invaluable -around march 2024- they informed the buyer on this blog. Could be reason to ensure that indeed Sindorff renounced the painting to preserve or that another family named Sindorf is settled in Australia still very feasible too...

This looks like being close to the Geldersche Poort in Venlo, where Henri was born. The brush strokes are accurate, beautiful. Rare to find a painting and also - of the town. Henri was multilingual. Missing an "F" in his signature, in stead of double FF, or "Fen" in Dutch, in English then again swamp or Fen or Ven in Dutch. is it not F that we are missing, yet the lo(o). Het Loo is the palais also where the Dutch queen lived.

Henri Bernard Sindorff in 2009 - picture taken by his son Kim Patrick Sindorff

Four Generations. Henri B. Sindorff, Kim P. Sindorff, Chad Sindorff & Kayden Sindorff🍃

Source: https://nl.findagrave.com/user/profile/51145011 by Heath Penney "doing my own family tree research however happy to take photo's for others as I am going"

Both Henri as well as Nel are buried Location Carr Villa Memorial Park, Kings Meadows, Launceston City, Tasmania, Australia, Lawn Graves, Merremia, 13 (ID 212950126)