Wednesday, October 15, 2014

A Dutch Soldier, my uncle Victor



Not much has been said about a Dutch soldier who brought honor to his family and to the military unit he was assigned to when he was a young man. Born in 1908, Frederick Victor ToersBijns, a 21 year old cadet at the Dutch Royal Military Academy, showed the world his fencing skills as he took part in international competitions of “saber fights” for which he won fourth place.

By decision of the Governor General of the Dutch East Indies (today’s Indonesia) from July 31, 1932 he was promoted and appointed with honor the rank of second lieutenant in the Dutch army. There he was assigned to the 14th Infantry battalion at Buitenzorg. 3 years later, ToersBijns was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to the Muara Teboh garrison. 

It was here where he gained notoriety as a world class fencer and appointed to the fencing team who among them were some of the best fencers around that part of the world.  He competed with those members of the Royal Navy as well as some officers of the Dutch Marines. In honor of the Dutch princess, he was appointed master of ceremonies for a parade held yearly and gradually moved on to compete in a series of competitions held for saber fighters. 

On April, 30, 1938, ToersBijns was an honor graduate of the military police academy and was assigned to the 14th battalion military police before being assigned permanently to the 2nd military police battalion. In 1939, he participated in the competition trials of the Royal Dutch Indian Officer meets where he placed in the finals for such competition and placed 4th place prize.

Soon after the competition, war broke out with Japan and in March, 1942, ToersBijns escaped from the island of Java to the island of Sumatra to avoid being captured and joined the opposition forces against the Japanese army. His time during the resistance was critical in defending Dutch troop positions and his eventual capture by the Japanese in December 1944, resulted in his death by decapitation with his own sword. 

Photo – the spot in Anjol where ToersBijns was killed by the Japanese before he dug his own grave and was beheaded on this spot. 


Reference: http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Victor_Frederik_Toers_Bijns

No comments:

Post a Comment