Date of birth:

May 27th, 1919 (Princenhage/North Brabant, Netherlands)

Date of death:

July 17th, 1947 (Semarang/Java, Dutch Indies)

Buried on:

Dutch War Cemetery Candi
Grave: D174.

Nationality:

Dutch

Sld Ekl. OVW. St-T

Kees was born on 27 May 1919 in Princenhage, the eldest son of Petrus Smeekens and Petronella Rombouts. He lived in Ulicoten, where he worked as an assistant customs officer until he was called up for military service, and in Hilvarenbeek.

Shortly after the end of World War II, he enlisted in the Royal Netherlands Army as a war volunteer.

Due to the outbreak of revolutionary violence during the Indonesian struggle for independence, Kees was sent to the Dutch East Indies to help restore peace and Dutch authority. There he was assigned to the staff of the T-brigade, active in Central Java.

In addition to guerrilla attacks by the insurgents and accidents involving ammunition or traffic, Dutch soldiers were also at great risk of falling victim to endemic tropical diseases. Due to a lack of medicines, these often had fatal consequences. In July 1947, Kees was also brought to Semarang in critical condition with malaria. However, the help provided was to no avail and his condition deteriorated rapidly until he succumbed to the disease on 17 July 1947. Kees was 28 years old and found his final resting place at the Dutch military cemetery Candi in Semarang.

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• Photo 1: Oorlogsgravenstichting
• Photo 2: Oorlogsgravenstichting
• - Cornelis Christianus Smeekens | Oorlogsgravenstichting
  - Kees Smeekens | Brabantse Gesneuvelden
  

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