The Laidlaw World Cup Down Under, nestled amidst the post-war resurgence of football fervor in Victoria, stands as a testament to the multicultural tapestry woven into the sport’s fabric. Its origins traced back to 1949 with a diverse array of Read more…
Born on September 18, 1934, in the Netherlands, Van Alphen left an indelible mark on Australian soccer, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations. Dick passed away on May 21, 2009, at his home in Hervey Bay, Queensland. Read more…
Paul Vander Haar was born in the Netherlands on 7 March 1958 and was one of five children born to Dutch migrants, Bernardus Josef (Ben) and Judith. His surname was originally spelled: van der Haar. On the field he is Read more…
In the occupied Netherlands East Indies, Japan sought to eradicate all Western influence from public life. In the outlying regions, non-Asian individuals were promptly interned following the occupation. Consequently, women from the Netherlands, Australia, England, and the Dutch East Indies Read more…
The physical environment of a Japanese prisoner camp serves as more than mere confinement; it becomes a stage for survival and adaptation. Whether situated in remote jungles, barren deserts, or urban centers, each camp presents its own set of challenges Read more…
Alex war activities and memories are recorded by the National Library of Australia. A+P Leemhuis Builders was established in 1956 by Alex Leemhuis. Alex arrived in Australia in 1951 from Netherlands, met his wife (Urselina) and settled in Canberra. Since Read more…
Changi Prison, originally designed to hold 600 inmates, was overwhelmed with around 2,400 internees, including civilians associated with the British and Dutch colonial administrations. Among them were women and children, housed alongside male prisoners of war. Despite being overcrowded, Changi Read more…
The Battle of Ambon, which raged from January 30 to February 3, 1942, in the Netherlands East Indies during World War II, held significant strategic implications due to its potential for facilitating air attacks on Australia. The Dutch garrison, ill-equipped Read more…
The following information is from the Australian War Memorial. Anton van Beurden was born in 1912. He joined the Dutch merchant navy as a young man, specialising in radio telegraphy. In 1933, he was selected for officer training in the Read more…
Dutch war veterans in Australia oral history project [sound recording] The aim of this project “is to collect interviews that will recapture the life experiences of a representative group of Dutch veterans in Australia. Most of these veterans served with Read more…