Jan Karel SINDORFF (1915-1944)

I
Mar 19, 2024
6 min read

Updated: Oct 20

Jan Karel Sindorff was born in Venlo, the Netherlands (Europe) on October 6, 1915, deceased in Tilburg 26 October 1944, being the first child of his father Jean Joseph Wilhelm SINDORFF (1889-1936) and his mother Maria Bernardina Clothildis Jacoba WEIJERS (1889-1975). Siblings were his younger brother Willem Marianus Sindorff (1917-1988), Henri Bernard Sindorff (1921-2014) and his younger sister Maria Francisca Sindorff (1926-x). Jan is buried on cemetery Josephstraat 109 Tilburg and has been cleared. He remained unmarried and had no children.

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 must have experience effects, and during the 2nd World War between 1940-1945 Jan lost his life because of the war, a victim WW II 1940-1945, just one day before the war ended.

At the age of 17, Jan lived at Prof. Donderstraat 7 in Tilburg. In the Nieuwe Courier it is published that Jan had followed Gymnasium with special credit in 1932 and published in 1931. From a toddler magazine Kleuterblaadje; age six to ten year, jrg 9, 1924, no. 50, 13-12-1924 boys wallet for: Jan Karel Sindorff:

As young infant, toddler, Jan won a wallet

In the 'collegeklok' yearbook of the Bisschoppelijk College in Roermond, Netherlands (1941-1945), bearing the motto Ora et Labora (pray and work), the board requests unity in praying for the numerous former students, including Jan, who lost their lives in World War II.

Jan enjoyed bowling.

Jan Karel worked at the Town Hall as municipal officer during the war. In their Monthly publication issued 01-03-1942 by Samson-H. la Riviere Alphen a/d/ Rijn, Zwolle, nr. 3 one clearly struggles with issues during the war with a request to the readers for their opinion on investigative work. While Jan submitted his thoughts, the publisher is seeking the right moment.

Bron:Delpher.nl Nieuwe Tilburgsche Courant 27-12-1940

Maandblad van de inrichting voor Gemeente Administratie 01-03-1942.

Magazine of the institution for Municipal Administration dated 01-03-1942.

In the Tilburg archive, there is information about controversial winter assistance provided by German representatives. It was initially intended for everyone, but later Jan, who became the leader of the NVD in Goirle, like his uncle Franciscus R.H. Sindorff in Hoenderloo, requested for an honorable resignation in 1943.

By dedicating themselves to the NVD, people were in fact supporting the enemy.

During the II world war, Franciscus, Jan’s uncle, was also appointed as neighborhood chief for aid, also to mothers, including winter aid that was initially for all people set up by German example called the Dutch or Nederlandse Volksdienst (NVD) in 1941 as counterpart of the German National Socialistic Vokswohlffahrt. "The NVD had to take the place of the numerous private charity organizations that existed in the pillarized Netherlands and would eventually include all social assistance, social work and paramedical care. The organization was based on Nazi racial theory and only took care of people who were 'hereditary biologically' healthy. The NVD worked closely with the Winter Aid and, like this organization, was not a success."

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. Jan was a clerk at the Town Hall and during the war. Jan became block head at the LBD, 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

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), 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

Tilburg shooting, 26 October 1944 - "Thursday October 26, 1944 The Scots (including the Princess Irene Brigade) have approached the city very closely from the south and southeast. The advance stagnates that day. But during the day the 7th British Armored Division advances from the east from Helvoirt to Udenhout and threatens the Germans in the city with encirclement in the north and northeast. The commander of the LXXXVIIIth Corps decides to withdraw the German troops from Tilburg in the evening. The artillery bombardment is intensified that day and also covers a larger area. The main focus is on the Broekhoven district. Around 11 a.m. Groenstraat, Ringbaan-Zuid, Beeksedijk and the surrounding area were under fire for 10 minutes. The bursts are repeated after approximately 1 to 1½ hours. Block team 611 tries to provide the best possible assistance in the affected area. Residents there are advised to move in with family or acquaintances elsewhere in the city. At around five o'clock the block suffered a heavy rain of shells for fifteen minutes. Panic breaks out and many residents flee. Things become quieter as the evening and night approaches, although impacts are regularly reported. Two members of Block Team 611 are hit and die during the emergency response. (J.Konings/A.Naaijkens). That day, the Bosscheweg and several scattered streets are again under fire. The building of the Municipal Medical Service in Schoolstraat and the police station in Bisschop Zwijsenstraat we: re damaged. The Sacrament Church on Ringbaan-Oost is affected." - archive Tilburg

Block 1208 and block 604: Jan tragically loses his life due to the brutal violence of war. (oorlogsbronnen). Jan resided at Professor Dondersstraat number 7, where he tragically passed away. It is believed that Sindorff was struck by stray shrapnel, resulting in a fatal arterial hemorrhage. The death was promptly reported by a funeral director on the day it occurred.