The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Collection relating to the Second World War internment experience of the Van Gelder family -- father Herman, mother Rosaline, children Max, Hans and Carla -- in the Netherlands East Indies (Indonesia). The family lived in Semarang, Central Java, at the outbreak of the war in the Pacific. Herman was separated from his family, and was sent to a military prisoner-of-war camp, as he was a Sergeant in the Stadswacht, Koninklijk Nederlands Indisch Leger (Royal Dutch East Indies Army); he was released in December 1945. While the remainder of the family was originally interned together, Max, the eldest son, was also separated from the Van Gelder family as he grew older; he was released in November 1946. The family was reunited by the Red Cross following the war.
Collection is written in Dutch, and includes: 17 postcards, five written by Herman to his family, and 12 written by family to Herman (six postcards are original, and 11 are reproductions); one telegram, from Herman, undated; nine letters, four written by Herman to family, two from Rosaline to Herman and carried by the Red Cross, and three from Max (five letters are original, four are reproductions); two souvenirs, one menu for 'Jaarmarkt Soerabaia', 21 June 1942, and one menu for a New Year's Day dinner, 1 January 1946 (both reproductions); and two identity cards, 'Identiteitskaart voor Bevrijde Geinterneerden' (Identity card for liberated internees) for Herman and Max.
Set of 52 small playing cards made from the cardboard box of a packet of US manufactured 'Piedmont' cigarettes. The cardboard has been roughly torn into pieces of approximately equal size, and marked
Hand made folding stool manufactured from teak, steel and aluminium. The underside of the seat panel has most of its original red painted finish, but the top surface is heavily worn, and much of the p
Hand made bracelet manufactured from small pieces of perspex, (taken from the glazing of destroyed aircraft ) and from small brass crowns and eagles which may originally have been part of RAF or RAAF
Hand made bracelet manufactured from small pieces of perspex, (taken from the glazing of destroyed aircraft ) and from small brass crowns and eagles which may originally have been part of RAF or RAAF
Set of 52 small playing cards made from the cardboard box of a packet of US manufactured 'Piedmont' cigarettes. The cardboard has been roughly torn into pieces of approximately equal size, and marked
Hand made folding stool manufactured from teak, steel and aluminium. The underside of the seat panel has most of its original red painted finish, but the top surface is heavily worn, and much of the p
Informal portrait of the Van Gelder family following their release from internment in camps in Indonesia. Left to right: Carla, Hans, Rosaline, Max and Herman. The family was interned firstly by the J
Informal portrait of the Van Gelder children before they were interned in a camp in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). Left to right, Hans, Carla and Max. The family was interned firstly by the Japane
Studio portrait of Herman Van Gelder . He and his family were interned in camps in the Netherlands East Indies. The family was interned firstly by the Japanese at a military prisoner of war camp in Bu
