The California presentation by the Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands Mr. Ad van der Vorst of the posthumously awarded Mobilization War Cross to a part of the worldwide von Stockhausen descendants in California of Hans Waldemar Adalbert von Stockhausen, a teak wood ranger in civilian life in the former Dutch East Indies, who was called to duty to defend his country against the invading Japanese Army. According to the accompanying letter of the Dutch Ministry of Defence for his efforts under extra ordinary difficult conditions These conditions are the poor and haphazard training with outdated military equipment fighting against a war experienced, well trained and well armed invading army and the inhumane torturous treatment and lack of food they suffered as a POW. Bertus as his friend called him did not survive a bomb attack by allied bombers on the hellship Nitimei Maru on its way to the Burma Railroad construction in the Gulf of Martaban. Bertus left a wife and 9 children behind and his descendants are now living in the US, the Netherlands and Australia. On the 1st photo from left to right is his great- grandson Skyler, a junior Airforce ROTC, grandson Erik a MK1 USCG, son Theo, a retired merchant marine Captain and present patriarch of the von Stockhausen clan, daughter Anna Ferns and son Carl. Next to the Consul general is son Ben. Photos courtesy of Stef Jansen AVIO. Our thanks to the organization of Wapenbroeders for their hospitality and the presence of over 200 members celebrating their Bevrijdings Bal.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 04:47:33 +0000
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