<p>Dutch Captain Timmermans had fought against the German invaders. After the German occupation in 1940 he entered a Dutch resistance group. In 1945 as a member of a mine search team he stepped on a mine. As parts of the mine exploded in his face he was temporarily blind. Next to him in the Canadian hospital a slightly wounded young German soldier from Lake Constance was treated. When this young soldier recovered he stayed in order to care for Captain Timmermans. A dialogue between both of them unavoidably took place. Step by step both of them realized that the prejudices they had against each other were flawed. 
</p><p>In 1948 Captain Timmermans got the opportunity to temporarily take on an administrative position in Ysselsteyn. In the end he has remained in Ysselsteyn for 28 years. As administrator of the cemetery he placed war graves, cared for them, identified killed soldiers, guided visiting groups and informed relatives. 
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Through his engaged commitment to the Dutch German reconciliation after the Second World War he was an important unifying figure. Before he died in 1995 he had a last wish: He wanted his ashes to be spread over the cemetery. He wanted to be with “his boys”. This was done in 1995 according to his wish.
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