Erich Meier lived with his parents and siblings at 25 Zeedijk in Haaksbergen. His father was a cattle dealer and butcher. Erich wanted to become a pastry chef. He worked as an apprentice for a baker in Arnhem. In 1938 he returned to Haaksbergen. His sister Emma was married and lived with her husband Siegmond and two children, Johan and Selma Henriëtte, in Hengelo. Siegmond Lievendag was caught during a raid, and Erich went to Hengelo to help his sister.
When Emma and her children were picked up, Erich was taken along as well. His parents and other siblings survived the war.
H. Hamburger and J.C. Regtien, Joodse oorlogsmonumenten in de provincie Overijssel, alsmede algemene oorlogsmonumenten waarop joodse namen voorkomen. Profiel (Bedum 2002) 34
In September 1942 the mayor of Haaksbergen reported that Erich Meier, a baker residing in Haaksbergen, was missing and requested that he be located, detained and brought to trial. He was suspected of having changed his place of residence without obtaining the required authorization. This description referred to Jews who had gone into hiding.
Algemeen Politieblad, nr 36, 10 September 1942, 1027, notice 1901;