Typewriter given to Simon ten Kate
Object numberM2021/030a
TitleTypewriter given to Simon ten Kate
CreatorRemington Typewriter Co
DescriptionCarry case of typewriter given to Simon ten Kate by a Jewish family.
Simon ten Kate was born in Sexbierum, Netherlands on 30 June 1911 to Bonne ten Kate and Baukje ten Kate (nee Visser). He was one of 15 children. He married Richtje (Ruth) Westra on 30 April 1936 and they had five children.
Simon was a participant in the Dutch Underground after the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940. He operated a bakery at 64 Sluisweg, Slootdorp, a polder village formed near the Wieringermeer dike. Simon’s family relates many Jewish refugees temporarily hid in the countryside under mounds made by stacks of potatoes with hay piled over them. Simon supplied bread and other foods to the Underground, directed to deliver to various assigned drop points. Simon’s son Tom explains the house became a 'safe house' and recalls babies hidden in his father’s bread baskets, cared for by the ten Kate family before they could be ‘collected’.
On 17 April 1945, retreating German forces bombed the Wieringermeer dike, flooding the surrounding villages including Slootdorp. Like many residents, the ten Kate family were left with nothing as they evacuated. However, after the war the family believes Simon received a Monarch Pioneer typewriter as payment for bread and food by a Jewish couple he had helped. The family state he didn’t want payment when he was ‘just doing the right thing’ but accepted after it was insisted. A label on the typewriter case indicates it was then used by Simon for his pastry and bakery business in Slootdorp.
Simon and his family immigrated to Australia aboard the ‘Maloja’ arriving on 17 January 1951. The family eventually settled in Queensland and Simon continued to work as a baker and other odd jobs to make ends meet. He passed away aged 69 in 1981.
Simon ten Kate was born in Sexbierum, Netherlands on 30 June 1911 to Bonne ten Kate and Baukje ten Kate (nee Visser). He was one of 15 children. He married Richtje (Ruth) Westra on 30 April 1936 and they had five children.
Simon was a participant in the Dutch Underground after the German invasion of the Netherlands in May 1940. He operated a bakery at 64 Sluisweg, Slootdorp, a polder village formed near the Wieringermeer dike. Simon’s family relates many Jewish refugees temporarily hid in the countryside under mounds made by stacks of potatoes with hay piled over them. Simon supplied bread and other foods to the Underground, directed to deliver to various assigned drop points. Simon’s son Tom explains the house became a 'safe house' and recalls babies hidden in his father’s bread baskets, cared for by the ten Kate family before they could be ‘collected’.
On 17 April 1945, retreating German forces bombed the Wieringermeer dike, flooding the surrounding villages including Slootdorp. Like many residents, the ten Kate family were left with nothing as they evacuated. However, after the war the family believes Simon received a Monarch Pioneer typewriter as payment for bread and food by a Jewish couple he had helped. The family state he didn’t want payment when he was ‘just doing the right thing’ but accepted after it was insisted. A label on the typewriter case indicates it was then used by Simon for his pastry and bakery business in Slootdorp.
Simon and his family immigrated to Australia aboard the ‘Maloja’ arriving on 17 January 1951. The family eventually settled in Queensland and Simon continued to work as a baker and other odd jobs to make ends meet. He passed away aged 69 in 1981.
Production placeUnited States
Production date circa 1937
Subjecthiding, underground activities, bakers
Object nametypewriters
Materialmetal, fibres (fabrics), plastic, paper, wood
Dimensions
- a width: 290.00 mm
a height: 280.00 mm
a depth: 85.00 mm
b width: 310.00 mm
b height: 300.00 mm
b depth: 115.00 mm
Language
- Dutch
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Freda and Tom ten Kate
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.