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- Amsterdam, Netherlands, Europe 11
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Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn45880
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : grey, silver
- Date
- August 15, 1934
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : grey, silver
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- August 15, 1934
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Apple shaped medal from the Olympia Club. Side and the top edges are smooth; the bottom edge is following the shape of the wreath and bow that is embossed on the surface. The centre of the medal has a raised circle, in a dotted border and the image of a man flexing his arms in the centre. There are two curlicues following the side edges, curling at the top on either side. Attached at the top centre is a round metak sphere with a hole in the middle, with a metak ring going through. Smooth back with inscription. Boxing medal from the Olympia sporting club Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.19
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Charleroi ?, Belgium, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn45881
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : gold
- Date
- 1936
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : gold
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- 1936
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Cross-shaped medal from the Olympia boxing club, with a circle in the centre and coming out if the cross arms. The centre circle has an image of two men boxing. An eye is attached to the top arm of the cross, centre with a metal ring going through. The back is smooth and has an inscription. Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.25
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Charleroi ?, Belgium, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn45882
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : silver
- Date
- 1941
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : moulded, stamped, embossed, engraved : silver
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- 1941
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Octogonal shaped medal from the Olympia boxing club. Upper side edges have been cut like a wreath; other edges have a thin border. There is a raised circle just inside the octagon wit han image of a two men boxing on a ring in the centre. Attached to top edge is a square eye with hole in the middle. an oval link is passing through with another ring going through the link. Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.27
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Charleroi ?, Belgium, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Box
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47411
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Box : carved, hinged : brown, brass ; Ht: 6,5 cm x W: 8,1 cm x De: 14,2 cm
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Box : carved, hinged : brown, brass ; Ht: 6,5 cm x W: 8,1 cm x De: 14,2 cm
- Other Title Information
- Container
- Physical Condition
- Excellent
- Notes
- Wooden box with high-relief floral designs on each side and a filligree leaf design on the lid. Lid is attached to the base with 2 hinges. Narrative: The box was made by donor, David Kropveld, in woodworking class pre-war Amsterdam. David Kropveld was born in 1918 in Amsterdam. The university he was to attend was shut down by the Germans in 1940. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher. He immediately became involved in the underground in Holland, Belgium, and France. He was involved in transporting children to safe places. He participated in armed attacks of German convoys. He suffered two shootings and was arrested in France-subsequently sent to the camp of Breendock in Belgium and then to Treblinka, Sosnovitch, and Auschwitz. He was liberated by the Russian Amy.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.29
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Pin
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn47488
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Pin : soldered, enamelled, inlaid, moulded, screwed, glued : gold, red, white, blue
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Pin : soldered, enamelled, inlaid, moulded, screwed, glued : gold, red, white, blue
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Boxing pin. Square base with saw-tooth cut corners and a thin gold border at each edge. The centre has been divided horizontally 3 times (red, white, blue). Inlaid in the red is gold text (see inscription); inlaid in between the white and blue stripes is a pair of gold boxing gloves. The reverse is textured with a long, stick pin extending downwards from the centre; the middle of the pin has screw-teeth. Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.99.02
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Identification card
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50267
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Identification card : Paper : Black, White, Red ; Ht: 4 in. x W: 3 in.
- Date
- August 27, 1941
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Identification card : Paper : Black, White, Red ; Ht: 4 in. x W: 3 in.
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- August 27, 1941
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- Dutch
- Notes
- Two sided, with two vertical folds. The front has a photograph of David Kropveld, as well as three stamps, one is a circular stamp with the Coat of arms of the republic of the United Netherlands in the middle. The back has two finger prints, as well as one circular stamp with the Coat of Arms of the Republic of the United Netherlands in the middle. Narrative: Identification Card used by David Kropveld while in Holland. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.9
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Certificate
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50348
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Printed, handwritten : Ink : Beige, red, black, blue ; Ht: 14,5 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Date
- May 15, 1945
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Printed, handwritten : Ink : Beige, red, black, blue ; Ht: 14,5 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- May 15, 1945
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- Czech
- Russian
- Notes
- Single-sided printed page with stamp and handwritten note on back, creased horizontally and vertically, repaired with tape. Polish Red Cross certificate for David Kropveld issued for identification. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.2
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Gliwice, Poland, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50349
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Yellow, Brown ; Ht: 3 in. x W: 1,25 in.
- Date
- February 27, 1935
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Yellow, Brown ; Ht: 3 in. x W: 1,25 in.
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- February 27, 1935
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Circular with an illustration of two men boxing in the middle, and raised leaves along the bottom. There is a loop on the top with a piece of fabric stretched through it. Medal from the Olympia boxing club Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.21
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50350
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, Brown, Bronze ; Ht: 2,5 in. x W: 1 in.
- Date
- January 13, 1937
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, Brown, Bronze ; Ht: 2,5 in. x W: 1 in.
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- January 13, 1937
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Circular with raised edges and an illustration of two men boxing in the middle. There is a loop on the top with a piece of fabric stretched through it. Medal from the Olympia boxing club Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.22
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50351
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Yellow, Red, White, Blue ; Ht: 1,25 in. x W: 1,25 in.
- Date
- May 16, 1938
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Yellow, Red, White, Blue ; Ht: 1,25 in. x W: 1,25 in.
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- May 16, 1938
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- English
- Notes
- Circular with raised edges as well as an illustration of two men boxing in the middle. On there are 2 flags crossed on the back, France and Holland, and a crest along the bottom. The medal from the Olympia boxing club. Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.23
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn50352
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, Black, Gold ; Ht: 2,75 in. x W: 1 in.
- Date
- February 29, 1940
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, Black, Gold ; Ht: 2,75 in. x W: 1 in.
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- February 29, 1940
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Circular with raised edges, and an illustration of four people swimming in the middle. On the back there is a crest along the bottom which has vines on either side. A swimming medal from the Olympia boxing club Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.28
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Medal
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn51192
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, White, Grey, Gold ; Ht: 3 in. x W: 1 in.
- Date
- June 27, 1934
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- object
- Physical Description
- Medal : Cast : Red, White, Grey, Gold ; Ht: 3 in. x W: 1 in.
- Other Title Information
- Personal Symbol
- Date
- June 27, 1934
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Notes
- Rectangular, with a circular raised illustration of a man boxing in the middle. On the top is a loop with a piece of fabric stretched through it. Boxing medal from the Olympia boxing club Narrative: Medal was won by donor, David Kropveld. David Kropveld was born on January 3, 1918, in Amsterdam, Holland. David took up boxing as a young man and participated in competitions. In July 1940, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistence group in the south of France. As members of the White Brigade, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before being released. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz concentration camp (Poland). Father and son wore the badges of political prisoners and were selected for the slave labour camp of Monowitz, where they stayed for about five days prior to being transferred to camp of Treblinka (Poland). In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he had admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and Monowitz in December 1944 to compete boxing matches against other prisoners. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few iother prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved. No members of his family survived the war. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife. In 1947, the couple emigrated to Cuba, and in 1950, to Montreal where David began a successful career as a butcher.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.26
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Certificate
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59786
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, brown, blue ; Ht: 15 cm x W: 20 cm
- Date
- April 28, 1945
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, brown, blue ; Ht: 15 cm x W: 20 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- April 28, 1945
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- Polish
- Notes
- Single-sided page, creased once horizontally and vertically, tears along creases repaired with tape, discolouration where tape fell off front. Certificate for David Kropveld confirming that he was a political prisoner and suffered from an injury in his shoulder. Likely from when he was almost shot in the heart. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.10
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Szynwald, Poland, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Postcard
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59787
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Postcard : Cardstock : Handwritten : Pencil : Beige, purple, pink ; Ht: 10 cm x W: 15 cm
- Date
- December 22, 1942
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Postcard : Cardstock : Handwritten : Pencil : Beige, purple, pink ; Ht: 10 cm x W: 15 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- December 22, 1942
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- German
- Notes
- Postcard split in half along vertical crease, repaired with tape, Hitler stamp T.R. From A. Segis to Jam Pens (?) in Amsterdam, Holland. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.3
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Certificate
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59788
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, grey ; Ht: 8,5 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Date
- April 22, 1943
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, grey ; Ht: 8,5 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- April 22, 1943
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- English
- Notes
- Slip of paper creased vertically, form typed on front with handwritten details. Form indicates that David Kropveld was a Displaced Person from Holland, and had been captured/deported on 1943/4/22 as a Political Prisoner Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.4
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Certificate
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59789
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 14 cm x W: 20 cm
- Date
- July 21, 1945
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Certificate : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 14 cm x W: 20 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- July 21, 1945
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- Dutch
- Notes
- Page creased horizontally and vertically, Dutch Militair Repatrieering Commissaris letterhead, stamped. Form grants permission for David Kropveld to travel to Amsterdam in July 1945. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.5
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Note
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59790
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Note : Paper : Handwritten : Ink : Beige, black ; Ht: 9 cm x W: 13 cm
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Note : Paper : Handwritten : Ink : Beige, black ; Ht: 9 cm x W: 13 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Physical Condition
- Poor
- Language
- French
- Notes
- Fragment of paper with note written on front. Stamped with by census office with Paris address. Note contains David Kropveld's date of birth. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.7
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Paris, France, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Citizenship Certificate
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59791
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Citizenship Certificate : Paper : Printed : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 27 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Date
- June 29, 1945
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Citizenship Certificate : Paper : Printed : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 27 cm x W: 20,5 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- June 29, 1945
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- French
- Dutch
- Notes
- Page creased horizontally and vertically, three stamps on front, tears repaired variety of tape types, fingerprint B.L. Temporary Certificate of Citizenship from Dutch Embassy for David Kropveld, issued on 29 June 1945 and expiring 29 October 1945. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.8
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Paris, France, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Letter
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59792
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Letter : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 27 cm x W: 21 cm
- Date
- February 14, 1948
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Letter : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, blue ; Ht: 27 cm x W: 21 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- February 14, 1948
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- French
- Notes
- Single-sided page, creased horizontally and vertically, surface creased, stamp B.R. Letter on front from the warden of Dijon Prison, addressed to David Kropveld in Anvers, Belgium, stating that they are unable to send him the certificates he requested. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.11
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Dijon, France, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
Letter
https://www.cjhn.ca/link/cjhn59793
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Letter : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, amber, pink, blue ; Ht: 21 cm x W: 26 cm
- Date
- February 11, 1948
- Collection
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
- Description Level
- Item
- Material Type
- textual record
- Physical Description
- Letter : Paper : Typewritten : Ink : Beige, black, amber, pink, blue ; Ht: 21 cm x W: 26 cm
- Other Title Information
- Documentary Artifact
- Date
- February 11, 1948
- Physical Condition
- Good
- Language
- French
- Notes
- Single-sided page, tear T.C. repaired with tape, signature B.R. From David Kropveld in Anvers, Belgium, to the warden of Dijon Prison. David worked in the French Resistance and was captured and sent to Dijon Prison. He asks if the Warden can send him documents proving he was detained in the prison. Narrative: David Kropveld was born on 1918/1/3 in Amsterdam, Holland. He was the third child of Samuel Kropveld (1884/3/?) and Goedge Van Cleef (1894). His father had studied to be a doctor before he was enlisted in 1916. His mother was a nursery school teacher until her marriage. As a boy he participated in Boy Scouts, acrobatic and boxing training. He studied at a commercial college, and opened a silver, gold, and diamond business during the Great Depression. In 1936 he was chosen to represent Holland as a boxer in the Olympics, but he chose not to go. He trained as a naval officer, and was prepared to attend university when the Germans occupied Holland in May 1940. In July, David and his father joined the White Brigade resistance group in the south of France. As members, David and his father gave up their Jewish identities and were responsible for taking children to safe houses and participating in armed attacks on German convoys. During this time David used the alibis Charles Seegers and Dan Daladien. In October 1942, David was arrested while smuggling war-related information between occupied and Vichy France. He was tortured for ten days before escaping with the aid of two men from the resistance. He was reunited with his father in Brussels, but the two were arrested by Gestapo officers one week later. They were incarcerated for three months and deported to Auschwitz where they were considered political prisoners and were selected for the slave labor camp at Monowitz Camp. They remained there for 5 days prior to being transferred to Treblinka Camp. In Treblinka, David witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of a guard. During this time Goedge had been sent to Sobibor where she was gassed and cremated on 1943/5/7. In the fall of 1944, a guard recognized David as a boxer he admired and had him transferred back to Auschwitz and on to Monowitz in December 1944 to compete in boxing matches against other prisoners. The rest of David’s family was killed during the war. Of his siblings Gretha (1914) died of hunger in Malapane, Poland with her husband in September 1942, Hartog (1916) was injured as a sergeant in the army and executed after his capture on 1943/6/30, Rosette (June 1922) was gassed in Sobibor on 1943/7/23 while pregnant, and Israel (March 1924) was beaten to death during a protest on a transport bound for Buchenwald. In December 1944, David managed to escape the death march with a few other prisoners. He was rescued shortly after and brought to a hospital until his health improved, although he never fully recovered and spent most of his life physically handicapped. In the summer of 1945, David met his wife, Annie Cohen. They had two sons, Mike and Phillip Kropveld. In 1947, the couple immigrated to Cuba, and then, in 1950, to Montreal, Canada, where David began a successful career as a butcher. He died in Montreal on 2008/11/26 at the age of 91.
- Accession No.
- 1990.83.12
- Name Access
- Kropveld, David
- Places
- Anvers, Belgium, Europe
- Archival / Genealogical
- Archival Descriptions
- Repository
- Montreal Holocaust Museum
Images
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