Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Eerste Luitenant der Infanterie (1st Lieutenant of Infantry)

Unit:

6th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDACOM), Allied Forces

Awarded on:

January 25th, 1949

Recommendation 1:
"This officer was attached to the Royal Air Force in Palembang, Sumatra, for liaison duties. Owing to his intimate knowledge of the country and its people, he knew how to meet our requirements by the quickest possible means.
He worked indefatigably and showed great skill and imagination in dealing with a novel and difficult situation. Without his help our administrative arrangements, which were heavily strained owing to the evacuation of Singapore by an unexpected early date, would have been seriously hampered.
It is recommended that the appreciation of the Air Council be conveyed to this Officer through the appropriate channels."

Recommendation 2:
"Lieut DE ROECK of the Royal Netherlands Army was the Liaison Officer between the Netherlands Commander in SUMATRA and the British Forces on the Island. When the 6th N.A.A. Regt. was ordered to take over the defences of the oil installations and aerodrome at PELEMBANG a vast amount of work had to be done in a very short time. In most cases there was no accommodation whatever, and huts with necessary installations had to be erected in the Jungle. Although the Dutch themselves were extremely short of material, Lt. de ROECK achieved wonders in making the positions as habitable as possible. He was quite indefatigable and at all times most helpful, and without his whole-hearted co-operation the Regiment would have been unable to carry out its task satisfactorily. For his services I feel that some official recognition is due.
I am rather afraid, however, that Lt. de ROECK was executed by the Japanese, and if the N.E.I. Government should confirm this, I respectfully suggest that the award which would have been given to him should pass to Lt. VAN SCHLOETEN of the Royal Netherlands Engineers, who was his able and helpful assistant in the erection of accommodation for the Regiment.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

XX