Everything tagged "big" | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Everything tagged "big"

Phil & Ans Beekmeijer waving off friends going on 'big leave', Hong Kong 1951

Charles Gesner van der Voort's friend Phil Beekmeijer lived in Hong Kong with his wife Ans Beekmeijer-Kroeze when this photo was taken. In this year, 1951, he had been awarded with the Dutch Bronze Cross, for his "very courageous and prudent acting" during the Battle of Arnhem, "in which he did not sleep for three days", his daughter Liesbeth adds. Proud of the honour of receiving the award, he wore the decoration, for the occasion of waving off friends for a 'big leave', which Holland-China Trading Company (HCHC) staff were entitled to after working abroad for four years.

Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1951

Phil Beekmeijer on 'big leave' after ten years abroad; arriving at Schiphol in 1950, with DC-4 by Braathens SAFE (N-HAT)

Charles Gesner van der Voorts' friend Phil Beekmeijer started to work for Holland-China Trading Company (HCHC) in January 1940, joined the military, became one of the Netherlands first commandos, returned to China to work for HCHC in Tientsin (Tianjin) and had his first leave after ten years, in 1950. Usually, HCHC employees received half a year leave after four years abroad. 

Date picture taken (to nearest decade for older photos): 
1950
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