Award Jan Kuppens for courageous behaviour

From 'It happened in 1944!‘

On 31 March 1944, Sportclub Gastel celebrated its 10th anniversary and played an anniversary match against Rood-Wit from Sint Willebrord on Easter Monday. During that match, an American "Lightning" plane flies over Oud Gastel and disappears provisionally in a northern direction. Later, the plane, piloted by American Donald Willis, comes low over the Gastel polder before making an emergency landing near the Rolleweg near the Bansloot.

Mr Waalwijk, head of the Air Protection Service at the time, was in contact with the pilot after the landing. He happened to be driving along Rolleweg with his wife and, as head of the Air Protection Service, he knew he had to warn the Ortskommandant. However, he does not do so immediately, as he first makes sure that the pilot can hide for the time being in an old tram carriage that serves as a shelter for livestock. Then he warns clogmaker Jan Kuppens. Jan is known as anti-German and as someone who is always willing to do something for a good cause.

Meanwhile, Donald Willis has gone to another hideout, where Jan Kuppens manages to find him. With the help of his two sons, the pilot ends up at Kuppens' house on Meirstraat, where he is warmly welcomed. However, the pilot has instructions to flee to Belgium in case of an emergency landing, and he is taken away to Roosenaal that very evening. He manages to reach his unit via Belgium and France, allowing him to take part in air strikes against the enemy again.

After the occupation, Jan Kuppens receives an award from General Eisenhower for his brave conduct.