We will remember

 Here in The Netherlands we remember our war deaths at May 4, but when my father was dying I promised him to remember him, his friend Ron and Father Richard Stoffels at the same time as the English remember those who gave their lives for freedom.I still don't know which squadron(s) he served, even though I've spend many hours searching.But in...

For the Fallen

For the FallenWith proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,England mourns for her dead across the sea.Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,Fallen in the cause of the free.Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royalSings sorrow up into immortal spheres.There is music in the midst of desolationAnd a glory that shines upon our tears.They went with songs to the battle, they were young,Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and...

Richard Stoffels SJ.

 Talking to veterans always leaves a huge impression, but none so huge as when I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Stoffels.Richard Stoffels S.J. was the army chaplain of the Dutch forces in the RAF.He was born in Amsterdam as Richard Marie Paul Stoffels in 1906, at april 1.He became a Jesuit at september 7th of 1925, and was eager to study...

High Wycombe

One of the places where my father was stationed was High Wycombe.Because he was so young he was staying with a family.I never heard him mentioning a man, so I've always thought that he stayed with the elderly lady and her daughter he always spoke very nice about.The daughter, Lillian, married and went with her husband to Rhodesia.I know my father kept in contact for a long tim...

Number

 Source:National ArchivesAIR 78 60 6 p. ...

Home and Leaving

My father was one of 7 children, member of a close, but huge family.With 6 boys and one girl, my gram was thought to be busy with her family full time.In fact, she was one of the members of a network of family members who were almost all members of the resistance.The house was large, had entrances in the front and back, a large cellar (with it's own...

I'm looking for Family Brotherton

 My fatherI'm looking for members of Family Brotherton who used to live at 11 Grange Road Wolverhampton.My father stayed with a Family Brotherton during WW2.He was able to escape from The Netherlands and he wanted to serve in the RAF.Because he was too young to stay on the militairy terrain 24 hours a day, he stayed with a family.There were a...

Mystery

 I wrote in 2015:Isn't it strange: I can't find any records of my father, nor from the highly decorated army chaplain Stoffels, not in the RAF-files, nor in the Dutch files, and I'm sure they both served in the RAF.I've seen enough paperwork they both had in their possession, I've spoken with people who were with them in England, I've seen photos.Lots...