[1] Friedrich Wehmer was born during the closing years of the Bismarck era, near Schwerin, in the coastal region of central northern Germany.

In connection with his political work Wehmer also served as chairman of the regional "Krankenkasse" (state mandated health insurance provider).

In January 1933 the NSDAP (Nazi party) seized power and moved fast to create a one-party state.

After that, now aged 56, he took charge of the "Raifessen" (agricultural produce) cooperative in Plate, remaining in post till 1944.

One of the government's responses was "Operation Grill" ("Aktion Gitter") which involved rounding up and interning large numbers of suspected dissidents.

[2] Into all this, on 16 August 1945, Friedrich Wehmer, recently released from prison, was returned by the occupation forces to the position of mayor from which he had been removed by the Nazis twelve years earlier.

[2] In October 1945 the local school was reopened, with just one classroom for 223 pupils and hardly any books: teaching took place in shifts.

[2] As soon as it became legal to do so, Wehmer had also rejoined the SPD, re-establishing a party committee in the village of Plate and becoming its chairman.

At the same time, now no longer being the local mayor, he involved himself in the newly formed Peasants Mutual Aid Association (VdgB / Vereinigung der gegenseitigen Bauernhilfe).

In November 1950 he was elected to the chairmanship of the VdgB Central committee, a position he retained till his death in 1964.