Military and Political History
David Groen – 18th Squadron
Interview with David’s son Maurits Groen – 2005(?) See also: The 18 Squadron Netherlands East Indies – RAAF
Military and Political History
Interview with Dirk Stellema – pilot 18 Squadron
Dirk Stellema, comes from Snake in Friesland, Born in 1917, Was in the airforce in the NEI in 1937, and was in Australia during the war from 1942, and came to Australia permanently in 1949 , and was in the 18th Squadron Note: Somebody in the group saying Allies in Read more
Military and Political History
Lt Col.van Beek lead the Dutch group at the Allied Translator and Interpreter Section (ATIS) in Brisbane
ATIS was an integrated unit composed of Australian and American intelligence personnel and staff from the other Allied Forces (the Netherlands and China) Their primary responsibilities were the interrogation of Japanese POWs from Gaythorne POW Camp and the interpretation of captured Japanese documents. Given the low surrender rate of Japanese Read more
Aviation and Shipping
Three WWII emergency landings of Dutch planes in the NT in one day
On February 28, 1942, Japanese troops rapidly advanced through northern Java, quickly occupying airfields and towns. Within hours, they were only 50km from Andir Airport (Bandung) in West Java, where five civilian Royal Netherlands Indies Airways (KNILM) planes were based. Only the next day did the Dutch Government in Exile Read more
Migration history
Cornelis du Buy – table tennis champion
Cornelis du Buy was born on January 8, 1921, in Amsterdam, the son of Cornelis du Buy and Maria Catharina Ramakers. During his teenage years, in the interwar period, Cornelis learned table tennis at home from his father, playing on the dining table. Cornelis’ mother, originally from Limburg, acted as Read more
Art, Music, Film, Theatre
Nico Martin van Dalen – Artist
Nico was born on 8 December 1932 at Nijmegen, Netherlands, and migrated to Australia in 1955. On arrival he stayed in the Bonegilla Migrant centre, in 1997 he produced 15 cartoon styled drawings of live as an early migrant in Australia. He worked as a designer in various positions until Read more
Literature
Dutch Women in Australia
In this paper Dr. Nonja Peters explores the manner in which Dutch women, who left the Netherlands at various times during the postwar period, negotiated and carved out an ‘identity’ and satisfied their need for a sense of belonging in Australia. The interpretation derives its conclusions from oral history interview Read more
Literature
Pastor Hans Mol’s Life, Career, and Contributions
Biography Johannis Jacob “Hans” Mol, (14 February 1922 – 26 November 2017) a notable sociologist of religion, was born in Rozenburg. His early academic pursuits at the University of Amsterdam were disrupted by World War II when he refused to pledge allegiance to the Nazi party. Consequently, he was forced Read more
Military and Political History
Lieutenant Colonel N.L.W. van Straten – Timor-Australia
Nico Leonard Willem van Straten was born in Zwolle, September 3, 189 and died in Arnhem, September 18, 1968. He was a Dutch soldier of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army (KNIL) and bearer of the Military Order of William. At the start of WWII Lieutenant Colonel N.L.W. van Straten Read more
Migration history
Peter van Ryn – a ‘Sophie’s choice’ and being the physio for the Socceroos
Information provided by Peter’s son Laurie Early Life and Athletic Career Petrus “Peter” or “Piet” van Rijn was born in The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands, on 18May, 1917 (and passed away on 26th June, 2002). His parents were Piet van Rijn and Antonius Hendrieka Knijf. His mother was born in Read more