War Monument Sluis Born

The monument by the sluice in Born (municipality of Sittard-Geleen) was erected in memory of the two Dutch soldiers who lost their lives while defending the sluice during the German invasion of the Netherlands on May 10, 1940.

The names of the fallen soldiers are: Pieter Leonardus Walraeven and Gerardus Hubertus Custers. On May 10, 1940, the Netherlands was overwhelmed by the German invasion. Soldiers Piet Walraeven (born 30-01-1909) and Harie Custers (born 22-03-1909) were stationed at a defense work to protect the sluice in Born. The German attack was fierce, but 1st Lieutenant H. Bekkering, responsible for the defense of the sluice, was determined not to retreat. To cover the withdrawing troops, some soldiers remained behind at the sluice. As the overwhelming force of the German soldiers became too great, they ultimately wanted to surrender. However, this came too late for Piet Walraeven and Harie Custers. Walraeven fell on the spot and Custers succumbed to his injuries a few days later. Walraeven was buried at the cemetery on Tongerseweg in Maastricht. Custers at the Military Honor Cemetery Grebbeberg in Rheden.

The erection of the monument was an initiative of the local history association Bicht and the municipality of Sittard-Geleen. The monument was unveiled on September 19, 2005.

Artist: Miel Jaspers

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