Museum discovers last living Engelandvaarder, aged 102
The Museum Engelandvaarders has uncovered a remarkable find: a 102-year-old Engelandvaarder is still alive. NOS reported that the veteran is Diederik van Overbeek, who has lived in Michigan since 1956. The museum learned this after his daughter replied to a Facebook message. When Ellis Brandon died in July 2024, it had appeared that the last Engelandvaarder had passed away.
An "Engelandvaarder,” translated to “England-sailor," is the title of honor given to the brave Dutch men and women who escaped the Nazi-occupied Netherlands during WWII to join the Allied forces in the United Kingdom.
“I’m the last man standing, but all I do is get older,” Van Overbeek said to NOS, reflecting on being probably the last living Engelandvaarder. Van Overbeek's daughter had responded under a facebook post by the museum saying: “My dad may be the oldest living Engelandvaarder; he is 102 years old and I’m looking for more information please. He is Diederik Pieter van Overbeek. Born Aug 15 1923.”
Van Overbeek was raised in Rotterdam and assisted in clearing the city after the bombing. In June 1940, at just 16 years old, he set off with his neighbor on a bicycle, intending to reach England by way of Belgium, France, Spain, and Portugal.
They were captured in Spain. When their Portuguese visa expired, Van Overbeek’s neighbor returned to the Netherlands, while Van Overbeek remained in Spanish detention. In 1943, he finally reached England via Portugal, where he served as a maintenance mechanic with the Royal Air Force ground crew. The museum notes that in 1944, he received the Cross of Merit for his bravery, determination, and service to the Allied effort.
During his time with the British Air Force, Van Overbeek met his future wife. They married in 1945 and had three daughters. In 1956, the family moved to Michigan in the United States. Van Overbeek worked as an electrician and now resides in a retirement home.
Museum staff are coordinating with Van Overbeek and his daughter to document his life story.
Reporting by ANP and NL Times
