Uncle Harry van der Laan was only three years old when war broke out, and just nine when it ended. Here is his story with plenty of pictures added:

This story of the war years is personal for the many who are part of the van der Laan clan, or for any of the many other families with similar experiences. Our grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, living through this time of occupation and liberation, were deeply affected by the experience. And that in turn has affected us. We do well to remember.