The following is an English translation of the original Dutch account. The complete Dutch document is attached below.
Dirk van Kekeren was born in Sliedrecht on 18 July 1922. He was the son of Emanuel van Kekeren, a skipper, and Magcheltje Vonk.
On 22 July 1950, Dirk departed for Sydney, Australia, where he went to work in the dredging industry. He remained in Australia for the duration of the work and returned to the Netherlands around 1956.
Dirk was married to Jenneke Kolders, the daughter of Bastiaan Kolders and Antonia Cornelia Ramstijn. Jenneke was born in Essen on 23 December 1927.
Dirk van Kekeren died in Sliedrecht on 15 February 1998. His wife, Jenneke Kolders, died in Sliedrecht on 20 September 2014.
Overview
- Dirk van Kekeren: born in Sliedrecht on 18 July 1922; died in Sliedrecht on 15 February 1998.
- Departure: 22 July 1950 for Sydney, Australia.
- Employment in Australia: the dredging industry.
- Return to the Netherlands: approximately 1956.
- Wife: Jenneke Kolders, born in Essen on 23 December 1927; died in Sliedrecht on 20 September 2014.
- Dirk’s parents: Emanuel van Kekeren and Magcheltje Vonk.
- Jenneke’s parents: Bastiaan Kolders and Antonia Cornelia Ramstijn.
Source and acknowledgement: This account was supplied through the Historische Vereniging Sliedrecht as part of its research into the Dutch dredging workers who travelled to Australia in 1950. The complete original Dutch account is attached.
