Internment Camp

On my dad's side of the family, my Grandpa was a Dutch government official in Indonesia. When WWII broke out, he fought in the war, and my grandpa, and his mother and siblings were all put into an internment camp for women and children. My great grandpa was put in a men's internent camp.

My great grandpa left a written copy of his memoirs, and it was very interesting and sad to read. He was not very specific about how hard life was, but it was easy to read between the lines.

My grandpa once told me what he remembered about the camp. How crowded it was, how they were all hungry, and how when he finally went home he rode on a big warship. As he was telling me, my dad stood in the doorway listening intently. Afterwards he told me that his dad had never told him about any of it.

Someday when I see him, I want to ask him more about it now that I am older. I would like to write some of his story down for my own kids to read someday.

 

I am so sorry that your family had to go through this. I bet the memoirs were hard to read but interesting at the same time. You can only imagine the memories he must have and buried. I think that it is good that he opened up to you.

 

That's a great source to have for learning more about history and your family at the same time. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for your grandfather. If possible it would be great to be able to talk about it with him if he feels okay about opening up regarding the experience.