Holocaust Memorial Day in Welwyn Garden City: Wim van Leer
Holocaust Memorial in Germany - Credit: Pixabay Just before the outbreak of World War II, a factory owner travelled to Germany to bring back Jewish refugees to live in Welwyn Garden City. Wim van Leer, owner of General Stampers ltd, returned to our town on January 15, 1939 from Leipzig after negotiating with the Gestapo to free 14 young people, many from the concentration camps. The Dutch engineer van Leer went by himself to the German town, shortly before Kristallnacht in November 1938, and was supported in his efforts by a committee of Welwyn Garden City locals. The Society of Fri...