(1/n) Charlotte, surviving sister of Suzanne Huisman, was married to Louis Kat, a diamond cutter, born 16-07-1909. They had 2 children, Robert (Rob) and Irene.
Louis's sister Eva and her husband had plans to go to Switzerland and Louis wanted to join with his family.
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(2/n) But as he didn't want to leave his parents alone they stayed in Amsterdam.
But in 1942 live became more and more harsh and he knew he had to do something. He heard that he could get to Switzerland if he had enough diamonds.
(📷 Charlotte, Irene and Rob, 1941)
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(3/n) He went to an agreed address but it turned out to be a setup by the Nazis and he got arrested. He was sent, via Westerbork, to Auschwitz, where he died on 30-04-1943.😢
Charlotte stayed in their home📷 until early 1943 but then went into hiding with her son.
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(4/n) Little Irene, who stayed at an aunt, was 'arrested' and taken to the Hollandse Schouwburg📷But, she was smuggled out of there by a police officer and went into hiding in Haarlem. Charlotte and Rob also went into hiding in Haarlem.
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(📷Irene in hiding with bleached hair)
(5/n) At first this turned out to be a safe place, but after 1.5 year they were betrayed😠, 'arrested' and send to Scheveningen prison (which was called 'oranjehotel'). Charlotte and Rob came there early 1945. Rob, then 4, was one of the youngest prisoners in a 'Dutch' prison.
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(6/n) As there were no more transports 'to the east' (the last one was on 13-09-1944 from Westerbork) they stayed in Scheveningen prison and were liberated in May 1945. Charlotte and Rob were then reunited with Irene, who also survived in her hiding place.🕯️❤️🕯️
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(7/n) Louis parents, Salomon born 29-12-1887 and Belia nee Komkommer, born 31-08-1886 had been deported to Westerbork and from there, to Theresienstadt and finally to Auschwitz where they were gassed on 03-10-1944.😢
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(8/n) Louis's sister Eva and her little son survived, but her husband Alex got arrested and died in Auschwitz.
Her story can be read in this thread:
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(9/9) Louis, we will remember you and your parents Salomon and Belia.😢💔🕯️✡️
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