THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION ANTWERP BRANCH

Tweemaandelijkse newsletter september-oktober 2012 Verantwoordelijk uitgever:

Suzanne Mastbroek, Lodewijk Van Berckenlaan 192/6, 2140 Antwerpen Afgiftekantoor 2000 Antwerpen 1

P701114

Belgie-Belgique P.P-P.B

2000 Antwerpen 1 BC 26323 P701114

RBL dates for your diary

● Sunday 28th October 2012 RBL Poppy Appeal Lunch ● Saturday 10th November 2012 RBL Poppy Appeal at the Meir ● CHANGE OF DATE! Thursday 22nd November 2012 RBL All Ranks Lunch ● Sunday 9th December 2012 RBL Christmas Lunch

Other dates for your diary • Saturday 22nd September ABCA guided visit to Rockox house and garden • Friday 28th till Sunday 30th September BATS Variety Show at the Belfry • Saturday 6th October Joint “Diamond Jubilee” black tie dinner dance ● More information in this newsletter! • Friday 12th – Saturday 13th October KMLPA Internationale Taptoe België, Lotto Arena, Antwerpen RBL Royal British Legion Antwerp Branch For entertainment, call Martin Southam on 03/295 00 76 (evenings) or Raf Kloeck on 0473/297 623 For payments, call Frank Van Nunen on 03/321 28 84 (evenings) For membership matters, call Phil Shaw on 0486/189 734 (evenings) ABCA Antwerp British Community Association: contact Mary Ann Marinus on 0486/646 941(evenings only) St. Boniface St. Boniface Anglican Church: contact Father Andrew Wagstaff SSC on 03/239 33 39 BATS British American Theatrical Society: contact Jill Franks on 03/236 23 19 ABIW Antwerp British & International Women: contact Valerie Carroll on 03/254 03 73 MtS Missions to Seafarers: contact John Attenborough on 03/605 41 88 KMLPA Koninklijke Muziekkapel Lokale Politie Antwerpen: contact 0478/997 091 of info@muziekkapel.be

mailto:info@muziekkapel.be

Welcome! Dear members, dear readers of this newsletter, Here it is, the season of REMEMBRANCE . I don’t have to tell you how important that is for all of us. After all: ‘For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.” We sincerely hope that you will all come and help support this year’s Poppy Appeal on the Meir which will be on 10th November. With your help we can make a success of it! Also, nearing the end of the summer you may wish to think of renewing your membership for 2013. Details are on this page. And as we all like a good shindig, there’s the dinner-dance in honour of the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen. It promises to be a memorable evening! Get your dinner jackets out and come out !I Details of how and where to book for tickets are in this newsletter. Bye for now, Suzanne Newsletter Editor

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HOW TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP?

As we stated in earlier newsletters, next year’s membership will be € 26

Pay your RBL Antwerp Branch 2012/2012 membership into

PNB Paribas Fortis Meir

RBL Bank Account number is 220-0020212-72 (BIC: GEBABEBB, IBAN: BE38 2200 0202 1272)

Don’t forget to add your RBL member number as reference!

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RBL Antwerp Branch HELP LINE

03/685 34 20 (The Reverend Ann Babb)

If someone is ill, or needs a visit, please DO call.

Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance (1) It’s going to be a special evening, the 6th October! For the first time in our history we will be organising together with ABCA, ABIW and BATS a joint community black tie dinner dance in honour of HM Queen's Diamond Jubilee! So, what exactly can you expect? This is the programme for the evening: 7 pm Welcome drink 7.30 pm - 11 pm Dinner 11pm -1.30 pm An evening full of ‘60’s rock and roll with live music

from CC and The Cruisers (www.ccandthecruisers.com)

See next page for all the details!

http://www.ccandthecruisers.com/

Diamond Jubilee Dinner Dance (2) When? Saturday 6th October 2012 What time? 7 pm Where? De Basiliek, Edegem What’s on the menu? ● Aperitif ● Aperitief ● Cream of Leek and Stilton Soup ●Preiroomsoep met stilton ● Puff pastry boat with fish delicacies ●Bladerdeegbootje met (salmon, shrimp, cod, spinach) zeedelicatessen (zalm, garnaal,

kabeljauw, spinazie) ● Fillet of beef with luscious vegetables ● Ossenhaas met groentenweelde (chicory, green beans…), (witloof,groene boontjes…) Dauphine potatoes dauphine aardappeltjes ● Jubilee gateau ● Jubileumijstaart ● Mokka coffee and refreshments ● Mokka koffie en versnaperingen ● Wine/water ● Wijn/wate How much? € 50 per person (CASH BAR after 11 pm) How do you pay? Transfer your money to ABCA Paribas Fortis Account number BE11 2200 3243 8048 BIC GEBA BE BB Payment details: NAME + NUMBER OF PEOPLE + € ? Pay? As soon as possible please. Do you want to be there? Apply now – cut off date for applications is 15th SEPTEMBER – remember to also let us know how many you will be and (preferably) email this to suzanne.mastbroek@telenet.be or send a note to Suzanne Boyle-Mastbroek Lodewijk Van Berckenlaan 192 bus 6 2140 Antwerpen (Belgium) Call evenings only: 03/295 89 03

Dress code? Gentlemen: black tie Ladies evening: dress/cocktail- or ball gown

mailto:suzanne.mastbroek@telenet.be

Poppy Appeal Lunch

When? Saturday 28th October 2012 What time? 12h30 for 13h Where? De Basiliek, Edegem What’s on the menu? ● Aperitif ● Aperitief ● Consommé of tomatoes and vegetables● Tomaten-groentenbouillon with meatballs met balletjes ● Lamb chops with grain mustard ● Lamskoteletjes met graanmosterd ● Duet of green beans with bacon ● Duo van boontjes met spek en ui and onion ● Dauphine potatoes ● dauphine aardappeltjes ● Apple pie with English sauce ● Appelgebak met Engelse saus ● Mokka coffee/tea and cookies ● Mokka koffie/thee met koekjes ● Red/white wine/water ● Rode/witte wijn/wate How much? € 30 per person How do you pay? Transfer your money to

PNB Paribas Fortis Meir

RBL Bank Account number is 220-0020212-72 (BIC: GEBABEBB, IBAN: BE38 2200 0202 1272)

Payment details: NAME + NUMBER PEOPLE + € Pay? As soon as possible FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THIS LUNCH Call Raf Kloeck Martin Southam 03/664 72 85 03/295 00 76 Fax Martin Southam 03/295 00 76 Email Martin Southam Martin.southam@telenet.be Post Martin Southam (Chairman – Entertainments) Klein Heiken 11, 2950 Kapellen

mailto:Martin.southam@telenet.be

Poppy time

Hang this on your window, at work, at your bakers… please SPREAD THE WORD!

The way we were (1)

The liberation of Antwerp Joan Bridges wrote an extensive letter with her experiences during and after the liberation of Antwerp. “This title sent my mind back to a small Belgian unit which also took part in het liberation of Antwerp and is perhaps forgotten by most apart from the few involved. When the landings of June 1944 had taken place the Belgian Government in London was planning its return to the homeland. The were also busy buying (…)* from the British Army, surplus military vehicles such as ambulances, tanker lorries (…) for the initial relief work in Belgium as the Germans had fled with many of those vehicles. The Belgian Relief Corps was formed and a call went out for nurses, doctors, drivers and other volunteers – most of those were Belgians. I saw the advertisement in the British Press and immediately wrote to London and was called for an interview in about August. I had spent my childhood in Brussels and was also keen to help and got home again. In September, I underwent the medical tests and was fitted a military uniform. The headquarters were in Eaton Square. The first medical units departed for Belgium during September/October 1944. Then there was a slowing down while the Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes) was sorted out and eventually in early January 1945 I was summoned to prepare for departure. The convoy of ambulances and tanker lorries assembled in Eaton Square and then we started our journey to the docks of (…)/Tilbury. There we spent the night in barracks and after a good English breakfast we started loading our vehicles on LST 361 (landing ship tank) destination Ostend. We were very well treated by the Royal Navy for the long and sometimes rough crossing. (I then heard that Bovril was a good antidote to sea sickness!) We disembarked at the Commercial Port of Ostend and had to hurry off before the incoming tide flooded the ramp! I was near the end and had to be towed off by tractor. The convoy made its way slowly to Brussels, a journey of 3, 4 hours (no motorway then), and the vehicles were delivered to the Ministry of Public Health, Place Royale. My next assignment was in Antwerp, a new place for me. This was during the time of the flying bombs (V1 and V2). I was attached, with my ambulance, to a small medical unit. We lived in a flat in Avenue de France, a few nurses and myself as driver. The ambulance was based at the (…) near the Brederodestraat. Then on night duty, I had to ‘bunk’ down under the firemen. Quite an experience. Albert, my English speaking guide was needed as there was a complete black out and anyway, I didn’t know the area. It was hard to keep up with the fire engine. Two incidents stand out in my mind. The night the British Marine Unit billeted at the corner of the Lamorinièrestraat was hit. The direct hit caused many casualties and I did many trips to het St. Elizabeht Hospital and there were some nasty sights.

An old peoples home in Mortsel was also hit and it was gruesome hearing the calls for help. There were many other incidents. Antwerp Port was the main target. Official figures tell of nearly 6.000 victims during the 4 months following the liberation, both civilian and military and of those 4.000 were killed. Properties destroyed were 3.613, but over 29.352 were severely damaged. Civilians had been advised to leave Antwerp whenever possible. The Century Hotel, Hotel de Londres, Tourist Hotel were full of military. The Americans were in Top Hat Camp and on Linkeroever. When the bombing ceased, I was given a new assignment. The civilian prisoners were being released from Germany and returned to Belgium by train. They arrived at night at Herentals near Mol. I had to drive there in the black out with a mobile canteen to greet the prisoners with soup and hot dishes and snacks. This was their first contact with their homeland. There were some moving stories, but unfortunately not enough time to get to know them. They spent the night in a convent before being sent to their own home. I also went to Liège for similar work but very soon local organisations took over and I was able to go on leave. Just in time to celebrate the 8th May, the official end of war. In London I saw the Royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace and the great jubilating crowds. Amazing days. Little did I know that I would be settling Antwerp for good!”

(This picture from the liberation of Antwerp was taken from a website but has no relation with the story above)

The way we were (2)

The man of a 100 marathons Jacques Serruys sent us some stunning pictures and a letter to go with them.

“I was born on 17th September 1925. As war volonteer I joined the British Army. (…) On my return home in 1947 I became a marathon runner and ran 100 marathons all over the world.”

Picture perfect On the first Saturday in September the liberation of Willebroek was commemorated. The Royal British Legion Antwerp Branch was welcomed very warm, as usual. The sun was shining, the words that were spoken impressive and true. Gerry Gallagher sent us some pictures that give a good impression of this day.

From right to left: John Flack with Etienne Vekemans, the son of Robert Vekemans who played a most important part in the liberation; Stan and John are awaiting the parade ; Sid and Hugo and the most famous dog in the RBL Antwerp Branch ; Gerry Gallagher with Etienne Vekemans. Robert Vekemans (3/2/1913 - 22/10/1998) told the Allies about this small bridge, the Weduwe Van Enschodtbrug, which was not defended by the Germans. So the Allies could attack the German defenders of the large A-12 bridge at Boom from behind, and easily conquer the large bridge. Because of this, the Allies were able to liberate Antwerp the same day. Robert Vekemans stayed with them as guide. Gebruikte bron Tekst: Marc Van De Velde

Who’s who?

President: Lt. Col. E.B. Jeffrey barriejeffrey@netscape.net Committee for 2011/2012: Chairman Bob Chambers Oude Beurs 33 2000 Antwerpen Bchambers29@msn.com

Vice Chairman Sid Wilkins Lispersteenweg 219 2500 Lier sid-wilkins@hotmail.com

Membership Secretary Phil Shaw Ridder Dessainlaan 40 2800 Mechelen 0486/189 734 philshaw@telenet.be

Secretary George Bell Dr. E. Van Dammestraat 19 2660 Hoboken 03/830 54 23 (evenings/answerphone) g.bell@scarlet.be

Editor Newsletter/PR Suzanne Mastbroek Lodewijk Van Berckenlaan 192/6 2140 Borgerhout 03/295 89 03 (evenings) suzanne.mastbroek@telenet.be

Chairman Welfare Committee Ann Babb Leo Van Hullebuschstraat 37 2900 Schoten 03/685 34 20 (also help line) ann.babb@telenet.be

Hon. Treasurer Frank Van Nunen Floris Primslei 22 2150 Borsbeek 03/324 66 85 (office hours only) frank@vannunen.be

Poppy Organiser Mary Ann Marinus Oude Beurs 33 2000 Antwerpen 0486/64 69 41 (evenings) maryann.marinus@hotmail.com

Chairman Entertainment Committee Martin Southam Klein Heiken 11 2950 Kapellen martin.southam@telenet.be

Entertainment Committee Raf Kloeck Te Boelaarlei 103/bus 2 2140 Borgerhout 03/664 72 85

RBL Antwerp Branch Webmaster Steven Marinus steven.marinus@gmail.com RLB Website: http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/branches/antwerp

● RBL Bank Account number is 220-0020212-72

(BIC: GEBABEBB, IBAN: BE38 2200 0202 1272) ● Annual subscription: € 26, Donations towards our benevolent work are welcome. ● Please feel free to submit items for inclusion in the newsletter, such as poems you particularly like, anecdotes, stories about RBL Antwerp, hints, suggestions. ● Advertising rates: 1/8 page: € 6.50 per issue ¼ page: € 11 per issue ½ page: € 16.50 per issue 1 page: € 30 per issue Contact the Newsletter Editor for more information or to place an ad.

mailto:barriejeffrey@netscape.netmailto:Bchambers29@msn.com

Belgie-Belgique Poppy time Picture perfect Gebruikte bronTekst: Marc Van De Velde

Who’s who?