David Neiman. Collection

David Neiman (born September 10, 1938) was the son of Abraham Neiman (Naiman) and Blanca Gancz, with an elder sister named Gisela Neiman. Their residence at Van Spangenstraat 12 in Antwerp, Belgium, was disrupted by the outbreak of the Second World War. In September 1942, David Neiman's mother and sister sought refuge in hiding within Antwerp. Meanwhile, David arrived in Sinaai, transported by train to Heiken Station. From there, he was conveyed by Louis De Wilde, via wheelbarrow, through agricultural fields to his new sanctuary, adopting the alias "Simon Brusselmans" for the duration of his concealment until the liberation in 1944. Louis De Wilde, a local resident born on April 20, 1912, married to Augusta "Gusta" De Wilde, played a crucial role in sheltering David. They resided in a rented dwelling on the Lysdonck estate in Sinaai. To provide reassurance to David's mother, Augusta and her sister would occasionally parade David down the street where she was hiding, ensuring she witnessed his well-being. Tragically, during the third round-up in Antwerp, David's father Abraham was apprehended and detained at the Dossin barracks from September 12 to September 15, 1942, before being deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on Transport X, where he perished. Post-war, David Neiman was joyously reunited with his sister and mother (who remarried with Avram Blumstein) but maintained a close bond with his wartime protectors, affectionately referring to them as "mama" Gusta and "papa" Louis.

Yvette De Wilde permitted Kazerne Dossin to archive 7 photos and 8 documents in this collection.

Yvette De Wilde