The fallen resistance people in Limburg

Adrianus Hubertus Josef Merkx (broeder Valentinus)

On June 21, 1944, a meeting of the leaders of the L.O. Province of Limburg took place at the Boys’ Boarding School of St. Louis (of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, also called Brothers of Maastricht) at the Korenmarkt in Weert. At least one representative from each district was present. Since this meeting was betrayed, most of the participants fell into the hands of the SiPo (Security Police). This event was to go down in history as the Raid of Weert or the Betrayal of Weert. [1.1][1.2]

According to Cammaert, brother Valentinus, as the monastic and boarding school director Merkx was called, knew nothing about this meeting and had nothing to do with the L.O.. [1.2]
In contrast, the website brabantsegesneuvelden.nl says, he did know about it and was also involved in the resistance. [2]
The arrested were taken first to Maastricht and then to concentration camp Vught. In September, after the evacuation of the camp on Dolle Tuesday, Sept. 6, 1944, Valentinus was deported to Oranienburg, where he arrived with many other prisoners from Vught on Sept. 8. [3]
Brother Valentinus died in Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in mid-March 1945. [4]
In the Rumoldus Chapel in Weert hangs a bronze plaque in memory of Brother Valentinus by the Maastricht sculptor Charles Vos. Initially, this work of art hung in the St.-Louis boarding school, but later, when the boarding school was demolished, the brothers donated it to the Rumoldus Chapel. [5]
Adrianus Hubertus Josef ( broeder Valentinus ) Merkx is listed in the Erelijst 1940-1945 (Honor Roll of the Dutch Parliament). [6]
Foto: brabantsegesneuvelden.nl [2]

Footnotes

1. 1. Weert, 21 juni 1944
   2. Dr. F. Cammaert, Het Verborgen Front – Geschiedenis van de georganiseerde illegaliteit in de provincie Limburg tijdens de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Doctorale scriptie 1994, Groningen
   6. De Landelijke Organisatie voor hulp aan onderduikers, pp.563 ff
2. brabantsegesneuvelden.nl br. Valentinus Merkx
3. Archief Oorlogsgravenstichting (@ Nationaal archief),
   Dossier Adrianus Hubertus Josef Merkx #3
4. oorlogsbronnen.nl Adrianus Hubertus Josef Merkx
5. charlesvos.nl/ Gedachtenisplaat Merkx, Rumolduskapel Weert
6. Erelijst 1940-1945
7. Oorlogsgravenstichting.nl