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HOL-XX-A-00001 Military Record of Jannes van Wijk - p 2 of 2

[NOTE: This is a formal letter typed in English on the stationery of the Staf van de Bevelhebber der Landstrijdkrachten. The text of the form is in round brackets ({}).] Staf van de Bevelhebber der Landstrijdkrachten Sectie Krugsgeschiedenis Kanaalweg 2 Telefoon 512551 {(uw brief van)} Your letter of October 28th, 1973 {ons nummer} 476/73 {'s Gravenhage,} 6 December 1973 {bijlagen} 2 {onderwerp} Sergeant J. van Wijk M.W.O. {Aan} Mr. Thomas J. Rittenbrug Post Office Box 107 LEXINGTON, Virginia 24450 United States of America In reply to your abovementioned letter, I can inform you as follows. 1. From the records of the 3rd Battalion National Militia it is known that Johannes van Wijk was born at Zwolle (in Overijssel) November 29, 1789, Son of Gerrit van Wijk and Gesina Leenders. August 26, 1805 he joined the 2nd Regiment of Infantry of the Army of King Louis of Holland (Napoleon's brother). The 1st battalion of this regiment was sent to Spain to help Joseph Napoleon, then King of Spain. October 25, 1808 the Dutch Brigade, commanded by Major-General David Hendrik Baron Chassé (later the defender of the citadel of Antwerp) crossed the Spanish border near Bayonne. In July 1810 our country was annexed by the French Empire and our Army incorporated in the French Army. The 2nd Regiment of Infantry then became 123ième régiment d'infanterie de ligne. April 12, 1811 the two battalions of this regiment, serving in Spain, joined the 130ième régiment d'infanterie de ligne, that was disbanded May 12, 1814 after Napoleon's abdication. Van Wijk, who became a corporal March 29, 1812 deserted the French Army and March 19, 1814 joined the 3rd Battalion National Militia of our new army. He was promoted a corporal April 25, 1814 and a sergeant May 6, 1814. On June 18, 1815 his battalion took part in the battle of Waterloo and by Order in Council of August 17, 1815 Nr 77 he was appointed Knight 4th Class in the Military Order of William. He was honourably discharged from the Army on May 31, 1817. From 1805 till his desertion from the French Army he was a regular soldier. In our army he was a conscript, who voluntary substituted for Markus de Leeuw from Steenwijk. It can be accepted that he thereafter recieved a certain amount from de Leeuw. 2. In Spain he took part in the following actions: Battle of Durango (October 31, 1808) Storming of Mesa de Ibor (March 17, 1809) Defence of Merida (May 15/June 13, 1809) Battle of alavera de la Reina (July 28, 1809) Battle of Almonacid (August 11, 1809) Battle of Ocana (November 19, 1809) From November 29 till December 23 his unit escorted Spanish prisoners of war from Madrid to Bayonne. In 1810 the war in Spain developed in a way of warfare that from then on was called "guerilla". In Spain sergeant van Wijk received a grazing shot on his head. 3. The Military Order of William, in which van Wijk became a Knight 4th Class, has four classes, viz: Grandcross, Commander, Knight 3rd Class en [sic = "and"] Knight 4th Class and is granted to sovereigns and to soldiers of all ranks of the Netherlands forces and the forces of allies. The Order can be given to units as well and with two Regiments of the Royal Netherlands Army this honour is shared by four regiments of the United States Army (325th, 504th, 505th and 508th Infantry). Four other regiments (327th, 501st, 502nd and 506th Infantry) only have the right of wearing a lanyard in the colours of the Orders Ribbon (blue and orange). 4. The Dutch names of the abovementioned units of our Army were: Battalion National Militia from January 9, 1814 till April 15, 1815 Bataljon Landmilitie, from April 15, 1815 till December 31, 1819 Bataljon Nationale Militie, thereafter the battalion was 3rd battalion of the 8th Infantry Regiment. 2nd Regiment of Infantry from June 11, 1805 till September 17, 1806 1ste Regiment Infanterie van Ligne, from September 17,1806 till August 18, 1810 2de Regiment Infanterie van Linie. Knight 4th Class in the Military Order of William reads in Dutch: Ridder Vierde Klasse in de (or "der") Militaire Willems Orde. 5. In our collection we have pictures as well of the 2nd Infantry in Spain as of the Prince of Orange, leading the National Militia at Waterloo. I herewith send you fotocopies of those pictures. THE CHIEF OF THE HISTORICAL SECTION (signed) G. J. VAN OJEN Jr. Lieutenant-Colonel

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