Sinkgraven Meint & Zwaantje (Gerding)

Sinkgraven, Meint & Zwaantje (Gerding) On August 10, 1942, David Gans went into hiding on Meint and Zwaantje Sinkgraven’s farm. The couple lived with their three children at Grietmanswijk in Smilde, Drenthe. Besides David, the Sinkgravens hid several other Jews, including Mr. J. Pranger, who stayed with them from June until October 24, 1943. In the fall of 1944, a small Resistance group also went underground on the Sinkgraven farm. On the night of October 24, 1944, probably as the result of a betrayal, the Landwachters raided the farm. The next day it was set on fire by a German army unit. All those present at the farm managed to escape in time. The Sinkgraven family went into hiding with friends, but were tracked down and arrested by the Germans in December 1944. After interrogation at the Assen prison, the couple was released. Meint never recovered from the trauma of his arrest and died in February 1947. On June 10, 1982, Yad Vashem recognized Meint Sinkgraven and his wife, Zwaantje Sinkgraven-Gerding, as Righteous Among the Nations.