Anne Pieter Erkelens was born in Sliedrecht on 27 August 1911. He was a son of Adriaan Erkelens and Elizabeth Visser and grew up with his brothers Cornelis and Adriaan in a community closely connected with the river and maritime industries.
On 18 April 1942, Anne Pieter married Cornelia Leeuwestein, who had also been born in Sliedrecht. Their son, Willem Leendert Erkelens, was born on 1 February 1946 and later became known as Bill in Australia.
Anne Pieter departed from Schiphol Airport aboard the KLM flight to Melbourne on 22 June 1950, occupying seat I2. His wife and four-year-old son initially remained in the Netherlands. They followed aboard the passenger ship Johan van Oldenbarnevelt and arrived in Melbourne on 8 October 1950, reuniting the family and beginning a new chapter in Australia.
Willem later trained as a fitter and turner. Records indicate that his work took him to Australia in 1964, 1966, 1967 and 1970, as well as to New Zealand. His career continued the international connection that had begun when his father emigrated in 1950.
Anne Pieter and Cornelia eventually returned to the Netherlands. Cornelia died in Sliedrecht on 4 September 1980. Anne Pieter died there on 14 September 1984, aged 73. Their lives connected Sliedrecht and Australia, while their son’s later travels carried that connection into the next generation.
This account is based on family-history and migration research undertaken by Fred Stuij.
Related DACC research
Read the broader story in From Sliedrecht to Williamstown: Dutch dredging workers in post-war Australia.
For related personal stories, migration accounts and company histories, visit the Dutch Dredging in Australia Research Portal.
