Thierry Coppieters ‘t Wallant, one of the last surviving Belgian resistance fighters from World War II, passed away at home on Tuesday at the age of 98, according to the War Heritage Institute on Friday.
Coppieters ‘t Wallant was born on 14 May 1927 at Leysele Castle in Sint-Michiels near Bruges. He joined the resistance at the age of 13 when World War II broke out, following in his father’s footsteps.
His father, Jonkheer Charles Coppieters ‘t Wallant, was betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo during the war. He spent over three years imprisoned in various concentration camps and survived a death march.
After the war, Coppieters ‘t Wallant dedicated himself to preserving the memory of the war and those who died. He served as the national chairperson of the Royal National Federation of War Volunteers 1914-’18 and 1940-’45 for nearly 55 years. He was also the last national chairperson of the National Union of the Clandestine Press.
The funeral will take place on Tuesday, 17 June, at 11:00 in the Sacred Heart Church in Knokke.
