Harry’s Story, Outtake #6 – A Glimpse of Aartswoud, North Holland Today

Aartswould, North Holland today is a quiet farming community north of Amsterdam. This is the village where Harry grew up when he experienced the Nazi occupation from 1940-1945.  A focal point of the village is the large church with a flat top steeple. Nazis used the steeple as a vantage point to watch the village below during occupation.

Harry’s Story Documentary

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

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Harry’s Story, Outtake #5 – Baking a Cake for the Nazi Soldiers

Harry explains how German soldiers would enter their home and demand his Mother and Aunt to bake them a cake.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps.

At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

See the complete documentary on YouTube.

“Harry’s Story” Screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum

Harry's Story screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives

Harry and Fim Andringa attended the screening of the documentary “Harry’s Story” at the Lennox and Addington County Museum and Archives on November 25, 2017.  Organized by Rob Plumley (Community Development Officer) and Jane Foster (Manager, Museum & Archives), the small screening took place in the beautiful meeting room of the Museum.  Once the County jail, the Museum and Archives has been transformed to be the premier meeting venue in Napanee after the extensive renovation program a few years ago.

The documentary was produced by Ken and Cathy Hook of Cloyne and is available for public viewing on Harry’s website.  Harry’s Story is about the memories of a 9 year old boy growing up in Holland during the Nazi occupation during WWII. Harry explains the horrors of war and the impact upon the citizens of Holland, waiting for liberation by the Allies.  The documentary is meant to be shared as much as possible and can be easily downloaded for free for public viewing, in 4K resolution.  Harry’s Story can also be seen on YouTube as a Trailer and full-length video. It is non-monetized.

Harry's Story screened at Lennox & Addington County Museum and Archives

Harry’s Story, Outtake #4 – Money was Worthless – Trading for Food

During the Nazi occupation of Holland, Dutch money was worthless. To get food citizens traded anything of value to receive a bag of grain or other food. Harry tells an amusing story about a farmer with potatoes who made a bad trade.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

“Harry’s Story” in the Frontenac News, November 2017

Harry's Story - Frontenac News Nov 2017 Article

“Harry’s Story” documentary launch at the Northbrook Lions Hall was mentioned in the November 9th, 2017 edition of the Frontenac News.  Jeff Green wrote the article and attended the public launch on October  25th.  Later Jeff interviewed Harry Andringa to answer some questions he had regarding  Harry’s immigration to Canada.  Harry’s wife, Fim also talked to Jeff about the refugee crisis in the world today.  See the full story here.

Harry’s Story, Outtake #3 – How the Underground Helped Us Hide Jews

In this outtake Harry describes how the local Mayor chosen by the Nazis was threatening Harry’s family because they were hiding Jews from the Nazis.  A local policeman who was a member of the Dutch underground stepped in to help the Andringa family by making his own threat to the Mayor.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

Harry’s Story, Outtake #2 – How We Played Cards At Night

In Outtake #2 Harry explains his role of riding his bike in a way that illuminated the card table when his father and Uncle played cards at night.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

Tweed News: Harry’s Story Launch at Lions Hall – Standing Room Only

Tweed News - Harry's Story Launch at Northbrook Lions Hall

Tweed News – Harry’s Story Launch at Northbrook Lions Hall

Click link to see full story.  Thanks to Shannon Binder Bray for coming to the launch and writing the story and taking the photo and to Rodger Hanna (owner/operator of the Tweed News) for publishing the article.

Harry’s Story, Outtake #1- Hiding Jews from the Nazis – Sonya and Esther

This is the first outtake from Harry’s Story. Harry explains where his little sister Sonya hid during Nazi home inspections as well as Sonya’s mother Esther.

The documentary, ‘Harry’s Story’ is about the childhood memories of Harry Andringa when he lived in Holland with his family during the Nazi invasion in 1940.  He recalls the hiding of Jews in his family home to prevent Jews being sent to concentration or death camps. At the age of 25, Harry immigrated to Canada and worked as a TTC bus driver in Toronto for many years.  After retirement he moved to the small village of Flinton, Ontario with his wife Fim and son David.  Harry took a keen interest in volunteerism as a way to say thanks to Canada and the Allies for ending 5 years of Nazi brutality and ending the War in Europe in 1945.  Harry’s memories are preserved in his documentary.

“Harry’s Story” Documentary Completed – Available Free for Public Showing

Thank you  for visiting our blog. Harry’s Story documentary is now complete and is available free, online.  Harry Andringa kindly let Ken and Cathy Hook interview him and ask questions about his experiences during the war.  Harry used to visit local schools in the fall months, around Remembrance Day, and tell high school children about the hardships his family faced after Nazi occupation in his village.  He explains how everything changed when the Nazis arrived.  He explains about the ‘Hunger Winter’ when thousands of Dutch citizen starved to death when the Nazis cut-off food supplies.

Harry’s family hid Jews from the Nazis.  Being caught was punishable by sent to a concentration camp or death for the Jews and the Dutch families.He describes concentration and death camps including the infamous Auschwitz.  His memories are supported by vintage war footage from the Canadian Army Newsreels.

Harry hopes that telling his memories of WWII in Holland will educate children into the horrors of war and what can happen when dictators and oppression can go unchecked.  History should not be able to repeat itself again.

View the complete documentary on YouTube.
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