Information: Wikipedia

A Stolperstein literally "stumbling stone", metaphorically a "stumbling block" is a sett-size, 10 by 10 centimetres (3.9 in × 3.9 in) concrete cube bearing a brass plate inscribed with the name and life dates of victims of Nazi extermination or persecution.

The Stolpersteine project, initiated by the German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992, aims to commemorate individuals at exactly the last place of residency—or, sometimes, work—which was freely chosen by the person before he or she fell victim to Nazi terror, euthanasia, eugenics, was deported to a concentration or extermination camp, or escaped persecution by emigration or suicide. As of 29 March 2018, over 67,000 Stolpersteine have been laid in 22 countries, making the Stolpersteine project the world's largest decentralized memorial.

The majority of Stolpersteine commemorate Jewish victims of the Holocaust. Others have been placed for Sinti and Romani people (then also called "gypsies"), homosexuals, the physically or mentally disabled, Jehovah's Witnesses, black people, members of the Communist Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the anti-Nazi Resistance, the Christian opposition (both Protestants and Catholics), and Freemasons, along with International Brigade soldiers in the Spanish Civil War, military deserters, conscientious objectors, escape helpers, capitulators, "habitual criminals", looters, and others charged with treason, military disobedience, or undermining the Nazi military, as well as Allied soldiers.

Tuesday 5 March 2019, Gunter Demnig, the German artists and creator of the Stolpersteine, was in Antwerp to lay 26 stones with the names of victims of Nazism.

Ludovicus Focquier was born on June 14, 1903 and arrested at work on August 14, 1942 by the Gestapo. Carried away to Breendonk, Mauthausen and Gusen. There he died of exhaustion on February 12, 1943. Workmate of Mercantille.

Marum Wilhelm, born on the 16th November 1889 in Bingen / Hessen, residing in Neuß. Nationality: APAT  (Stateless)

Arrest: 17th November 1938 - 12th December 1938, Dachau, Konzentrationslager

Emigration: 19th September 1939, Luxemburg Belgien. Deportation from Belgien May 1940, Saint Cyprien, Internierungslager

Drancy, Sammellager 17th August 1942, Auschwitz, Convoy Number:20

Benjamin Mendes was of Jewish descent. He was a traveling salesman and was caught at Antwerp Central Station with the White Brigade's clandestine press in his suitcase. Neither of them returned from the concentration camp.

Frans Adriaenssens was born on March 14, 1911 and arrested at work by the Gestapo in the night of March 18 to 19, 1942. Carried away to Breendonk, Mauthausen and Gusen. There he died of exhaustion on December 9, 1942. Workmate of Mercantille.

Albert Adriaenssens was born on November 8, 1915 and arrested at work on July 14, 1942 by the Gestapo. Carried away to Breendonk, Mauthausen and Gusen. There he died of exhaustion on December 13, 1942. Workmate of Mercantille.

Franciscus Focquier was born on February 23, 1899 and arrested at work on July 13, 1942 by the Gestapo. Carried away to Breendonk, Mauthausen and Gusen. There he died on January 12, 1943 of exhaustion. Workmate of Mercantille.

In 2023 a stolperstein for Victor was placed next to the one of Franciscus.

As ship repairers at Mercantile in the port of Antwerp, they took part in sabotage actions that were planned there. But they also contributed to leaflets and publications of the resistance. And finally, they also held collections for imprisoned resistance members or family of deceased resistance members.

Henri Van Soom was born on October 30, 1921 and arrested by the Gestapo in the night of March 27 to 28, 1944. Carried away to Langerhausen, Prolenz and Sacksen. There he died on January 19, 1945 of exhaustion. Workmate of Mercantille.

André Roseeuw was a member of the Witte Brigade-Fidelio which also had a section in Merksem. He helped bring downed allied pilots back to England.

Hartog Worms - Elza Worms - Branca Kerkmeester

A new stone was placed as replacement of the original one, there was a wrong date of death, the correct one is 13.12.1942

Romanus Ruelle was born on March 13, 1903 and arrested at work on July 15, 1942 by the Gestapo. Carried away to Breendonk, Mauthausen and Gusen. There he was tortured to death on December 13, 1943. Workmate of Béliard.