David Neiman. Collection

Digital copy available as collection KD_00977 at Kazerne Dossin Research Centre 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. This collection comprises a diverse array of artifacts illuminating the life story of David Neiman and his family. Among its contents are significant photographs, including one capturing David Neiman as a one-year-old infant in 1939, providing a glimpse into his early years. Another notable image depicts "mama" Augusta / Gusta and "papa" Louis De Wilde alongside David Neiman, donning a marine uniform post-1944. Additionally, an official identity photo of David Neiman offers a formal record of his identity during that period. Pre-war moments are encapsulated in a photograph documenting the wedding of Abraham Neiman and Blanca Gancz, reflecting happier times before the onset of conflict. Post-war images feature Blanca Gancz with her second husband, Avram Blumstein, in Knokke-Heist, signifying new beginnings. The collection also includes ephemera such as dinner menus from David Neiman's Bar-Mitzwah celebration, birth announcement cards of his daughters, and elegant wedding invitations, each serving as tangible artifacts of significant life events. Furthermore, meticulously crafted paper cards containing handwritten biographical details of the Neiman and De Wilde family post-war contribute to the collection's depth, preserving their history for posterity. Contact Kazerne Dossin Research Centre: archives@kazernedossin.eu