Found Father–in–law's Picture as a Dutch Border Guard in 1918

What a FIND... to come across another photo of my Father–in–law from 1918!

First let me show you his official Border Guard picture.

We have NO idea what date it was when he enlisted, neither how long he actually served.

But he spoke of his time as a border guard during WWI so any time between 1914–1918.

He was stationed at Groesbeek, Gelderland in The Netherlands.

There was no service time in the army as The Netherlands remained neutral during WWI...

Guess the above address was the place where he had to report to and it might have been his ID number: 932 

Second from left is also my Father–in–law...

Also my Paternal Granddaddy did serve as a border guard, don't know where he was stationed.

But my Granddaddy married on September 13, 1918...

Coincidence maybe?! 

See link to previous post about my Granddaddy below post.

The end of WWI was on November 11, 1918 and signed at Compiègne, France.

The photo that I found on Archief Well mentions that it was in September 1918 and the person seated on the left sent this to his sister.

They all are toasting and have wine bottles for whatever reason.

Okay, just learned today on May 1st, that this is in front of Café Boerderij (Farmstead) Altena in Groesbeek, Netherlands. click link→: Found Father–in–law's Girl at Café H. Albers Altena in Groesbeek, Netherlands

NONE of the other names are known... sad as most are long gone and relatives probably don't recognize them anymore.

To both of us, history always has remained a very important part and ought to be preserved!

At least for family members that came after him.

Pieter's Dad was not yet married then...

He has told Pieter as a young boy about a beautiful dark–haired girl at the Café in Groesbeek and he even went by bike with young Pieter seated on the back of the bike, with a folded blanket underneath... That was some 30 km one–way on the bike or 18.6 miles.

Pieter got an ice cream at the Café but his Dad's beloved dark haired girl was not there.

Did receive from Marleen Timmermans at Archief Well, this enlarged image of Pieter's Dad and yes, we recognized him, also the familiar way he is holding his cigaret.

Here Pieter's Dad is shown in a photo at the 25th wedding anniversary of his fiancée's Parents on May 11, 1919 and he is wearing the very same detachable starched collar and tie as in the above photo from September 1918!

WISH we would know more about the Border Guard or in Dutch 'Grenswachter' period from Altena (Germany) – Groesbeek (Netherlands).

Related link:

Happy Father's Day to my Father-in-law in Heaven | previous post by me

{My OPA - GRANDDADDY} | previous post by me of my Granddaddy wearing his border guard suit

1965 Pieter visiting French Mushroom Grower André Sarazin near Historic Compiègne | previous post about Pieter's visit of Compiègne where the Armistice agreement was signed to end WWI...

Pieter's Nettleton Shoes – Another Royal Gift

Pieter over the decades has been greatly appreciated for his helpful advice to mushroom growers worldwide.

From Ben (Bernardo J.) Penturelli in Reading, Pennsylvania, who worked with Campbell Soup's Mushroom Division at the time, Pieter got these sent as a gift to his Dutch home in 1980.

For helping solve their mushroom farms' problems and for the courtesies extended during their recent trip to the Practical Mushroom Training College in Horst, The Netherlands.

Here are Pieter's Nettleton shoes.

From the side and visible is the hand stitched sole.

We had picked them up at the cobbler in Atlanta after he'd added 1 cm to the right shoe.

Pieter's middle brother played a trick on him when he was about 9 years old, by pulling the chair from under him and he fell. Thereby hurting his tail bone and it completely shifted to one side.

That made him have his left leg 1 cm longer, always had to take that into consideration when hemming up his pants.

As he ages, it kind of bothered him more and having the sole adjusted is a great comfort for having less pressure on his tailbone.

When biking and I ride behind him, I can tell he leans to one side on the saddle, also due to the shifted tailbone...

Well, so far he has made it to high age but it sure was a nasty trick with serious and lasting consequences.

Pieter's gifted pair were the Nettleton 0199 Traditionals – Plain Toe Blucher – Burgundy

Nettleton – The Syracuse, NY based company made quality shoes for over 100 years before it closed in the 1980s.

Yet, SaksOff5th is still selling them?! 

Doing some more digging into Nettleton's history and information, I learned that there exists a KNOCKOFF (?) Nettleton FB Page, where they show a phone number from the Philippines... 

AHA! It is all about $$$

Our trust in Saks Fifth Avenue OFF5th also got a bit dented.

Related link:

Refreshing to find such GREAT COURTESY at Grand Hyatt Buckhead, Atlanta | previous post by me

My Pieter is SO LUCKY for having viewed Mt. St. Helen Before its BIG Eruption | previous post by me with photo of Ben (Bernardo J.) Penturelli. 

{Pieter’s Tanner Krolle Attaché - Royal Gift purchased at Harrods by English Friend} | previous post by me

SPRING ARRIVED

 Each year it is quite a joy to see the Spring Blossoms!

Here I stand next to the azaleas that grow behind our gazebo.

Wearing my wool with rayon shorts from Escada's Apriori line with matching top.

Booties and belt I've found elsewhere and also my brown slouch socks.

These azaleas were in full bloom on March 9.

Hard to keep up with everything!

While working in the office, finally processing the long scanned photos from Pieter's family and adding names and info as Pieter recalls, Pieter brought me this fragrant nosegay of Bluebells...

March 21... WISH I could share the heavenly fragrance!

These pansies were putting on a show on March 23, looking so happy on our retainer wall alongside the driveway.

Our Somei Yoshino Cherry in bloom behind the pond.

Our Bletilla Striata Alba Orchid in bloom in a pot.

It is native to Japan and China, see post below.

Are you enjoying Spring Flowers?

Related links:

{Hyacinthoides Hispanica Excelsior - Spanish Blue Bell or Wood Hyacinth} | previous post by me

{Our Gazebo and Azaleas} | previous post by me

{Our Somei Yoshino Cherry in Bloom} | previous post by me

{Our Bletilla Striata Alba Orchid native to Japan and China} | previous post by me