Van Gelder Family (Dutch civilian family)

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.