Honoured: William ‘Bill’ Langenberg holds a picture of himself as a Dutch serviceman with granddaughter Corina Van Arend and great grandson Jet.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A CORIO man who fought for Holland in World War Two before his deportation to Germany as a prisoner of war will receive official recognition after 72 years.
Netherlands Defence Attache Lieutenant Colonel Herman Verhoef will present William Langenberg with a Mobilisation War Cross next week.
“I never knew this was awarded,” said 93-year-old Mr Langenberg.
“It’s important because it’s recognition. I appreciate it.”
Mr Langenberg was 22 when he was mobilised in a battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment in 1939 after war was declared.
German eventually occupied Holland, with Dutch men like Mr Langenberg deported to work in Nazi war factories.
Granddaughter Corina Van Arend said Mr Langenberg managed to escape back to Holland where he was forced into hiding.
“We’re all proud of him for getting through what was a terrible time and we told him he should write his memoirs.”
A baker by trade, Mr Langenberg emigrated to Australia in 1958.
Lt Col Verhoef will present the medal during a luncheon at Geelong’s Fishermen’s Pier Restaurant on Tuesday.
