Monument to the Dutch East Indies

The 'Indies Monument' in Oud-Beijerland was erected in memory of eight fellow citizens who died as soldiers in battle in the former Dutch East Indies.

The names of the eight victims are:

Simon Goudswaard, Arie Willem Lips, Marinus Oosterom, Neeltje Schipper, Jacob Stolk, Jan Arie Vermaas, Willem van Vliet and Peter Johan Wallin.

Simon Goudswaard was born in Oud-Beijerland on 10 December 1919 and was killed in the rank of Sergeant in the 1 – 1 – 15 Infantry Regiment on 15 January 1949 in Pelemsewoe. He is buried in the Field of Honour in Candi / Semarang.

Arie Willem Lips was born on September 11, 1920 in Oud-Beijerland and was killed during a military action in the rank of Corporal with the 1 – 1 – 12 Infantry Regiment on July 14, 1948 near Sebandung. He is buried in the Kembang Kuning / Surabaya War Cemetery.

Marinus Oosterom, although he was born on 30 November 1924 in Kockengen and also lives there, but his immediate relatives lived in Oud-Beijerland. He served with the Limburg Battalion of the 1st Regiment of Shock Troops in the rank of Corporal. On 30 September 1947 he was critically wounded in a mine explosion near Semarang and died a short time later. Like Simon Goudswaard, he is also buried in the Candi / Semarang Field of Honour.

Neeltje Schipper was born here in Oud-Beijerland on August 5, 1925. As a Sergeant 2nd Class she was part of the Women's Auxiliary Corps. On January 8, 1950, she died in Karang Endeh as a result of a serious car accident. She is buried in the Pandu / Bandung War Cemetery.

Jacob Stolk was born on 14 July 1895 in Oud-Beijerland and died on 18 September 1945 as a member of the KNIL in Zuid-Celebes. This war victim, like Simon Goudswaard and Marinus Oosterom, is also buried in the Candi / Semarang Field of Honour.

Jan Arie Vermaas was born in Oud-Beijerland on March 15, 1926. He was killed on 4 April 1949 in Kediri as a Private of the 4th Guards Regiment Grenadiers. Like Arie Willem Lips, he is buried in the Kembang Kuning / Surabaya Field of Honour.

Willem van Vliet was born on the same birthday as me, namely February 16, but in the year 1926 here in Oud-Beijerland. He also served in the 4th Guards Regiment Grenadiers in the rank of Corporal. On 16 January 1949 he was killed in action and was buried in the cemetery Kembang Kuning / Surabaya, just like Arie Willem Lips and his regimental colleague Jan Arie Vermaas.

Pieter Johan Wallin was born on 9 November 1923 in Oud-Beijerland. On 4 September 1945 he died in a plane crash in Makassar / Muntjoa. He was part of the 18th Squadron Netherlands East Indies of the Royal Australian Air Force and was a Reserve First Lieutenant – pilot – observer. He is buried in the Menteng Pulo / Jakarta War Cemetery.

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