Sobey Wall of Honour
Column
168
Row
10
Aant and Imkje (Leystra) DeGroot departed from the Village of Lichtaard, in the Netherlands on March 13, 1948 and arrived at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia on March 22, 1948.
The family arrived on board the Kota Inten, a refurbished troop carrier which had the distinct feature of housing women & children in one area of the ship and men in another. This placed a difficult burden on the women with young children.
Aant (Anton) was 37 and Imkje (Ida) was 32 when they immigrated to Canada with seven children, all under the age of ten. Johannes (John) aged 9, Freerk (Frank) age 8, Sjouke (Jack) age 7, Jacoba (Judy) age 6, Geertje (Gertie) age 4, Pietje (Pearl) age 3, and Blijke (Betty) age 1.
The family then travelled by train from Halifax to Ontario, to begin their new life, settling in South-western Ontario. After arriving in Canada seven more children were added to the family. Aleta 1948, Sadie 1950, Douglas 1951, Janette 1953, Allan 1954, Doreen 1956 and Andy 1958.
Aant (Anton) and Imkje (Ida) have since passed away - Aant in 1986, Imkje in 2002.
The DeGroot Family including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren wish to honour Anton and Ida lovingly remembered to all as ”Pake and Beppe” for the sacrifices and hardships they endured to provide opportunity for their children in a new country.
We want to say thank you for choosing Canada.
Their grandchildren dedicate this Brick on the Sobey Wall of Honour in their memory.
