Partly due to loose mines, safe fishing became impossible. Commercial fishing came to a standstill. Driven by poverty, some fishermen still risked their lives and set out to catch fish. Numerous ships were driven to the bottom by mines.
Egmond aan Zee lost more than 100 fishermen in the period 1914 - 1918. Even after the armistice it remained dangerous at sea because of the loose mines. In 1919 and 1920 another 26 fishermen lost their lives. Each death notice plunged the village into deep mourning.
Egmond aan Zee wanted to commemorate her lost fishermen. Initiatives arose, including by the teachers Bos and van Eenennaam, to create a monument. This monument was to be built to commemorate the fishermen who died. There were various designs, but in the end they opted for the design by the Rotterdam sculptor Leendert Bolle.
Source: www.First World War.info