Johannes Hendrikus Josephus Garben
| Geslacht: | Man | |
| Vader: | Johannes Garben | |
| Moeder: | Johanna Berendina Dieker | |
| Geboren: | 20 Aug 1904 | Groot Azewijn |
| Aantekeningen: | Last Name: Garben First Name: Johannes Hendrikus Josephus Date of Birth: 20/08/1904 Date of death: 31/10/1979 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Gender: Male Profession: FARMER Place during the war: Azewijn, Gelderland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Azewijn, Gelderland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/1452) In January 1944, 26-year-old Harry Straus arrived at the Garbens farmhouse after having been discovered at his previous hiding place. Johannes, aged 39, and his sister Agnes, 33, managed the family farm in the little village of Azewijn, Gelderland. They were both involved in underground activities. They had hidden Allied pilots who had been shot down over Holland. When Father Jan Garben, then aged in his eighties, was asked if they would hide Harry, he answered: The boy has to be helped, bring him here. Harry was hidden in a barn on the farm. Agnes made sure he had everything he needed. In April 1944, an American pilot was shot down in the area. The pilot, a Jew by the name of Carl Glassman, was temporarily hidden in the same barn. Carl was given civilian clothes and a Dutch identity card. In early 1944, Harrys sisters, Diny and Betty, were forced to leave their hiding place with the van Gessel* family in Dieren (Gelderland). Diny and Betty were escorted to the Garbens in Azewijn. Once there, they joined Harry in the barn. The three siblings slept in an attic in the barn that was totally concealed. They had to scramble down by rope just to use the toilet. Every day, Agnes brought them food, water, and other necessities. She would deliver the provisions in a basket with chicken feed on top as camouflage. On one occasion, when Harry and Betty were seriously ill, Johannes and Agnes managed to arrange for their former family doctor to treat them. Harry, Diny, and Betty remained hidden in the barn for 15 months, until the liberation on April 15 1945. All three siblings remember that anyone in need was always welcomed into the Garbens home. No financial remuneration was ever expected. The Garbens compassion and desire to help those in need always outweighed the fear of discovery they faced. On September 21, 1978, Yad Vashem recognized Johannes Hendrikus Josephus Garben and his sister, Agnes Mathea Engelbertha Garben, as Righteous Among the Nations. |
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