Five Brothers and a War

Leendert & Maria Geertruida van Pelt

The new house became a mecca for family and friends. Countless visits by dozens of people was an indication of the popularity of the family—and their residence.

Gijs van Pelt, Piet de Fouw (sitting on ground in foreground), Kees Sonneveld (standing in back with hat), Pieter Sonneveld (Marie’s father) Kees, Marie, Ploon (Sonneveld) de Fouw, Bertus (kneeling in front of table), Jan, Hes Sonneveld (holding the cat), Lenie Sonneveld being held by her mother, Grie Sonneveld, Piet (standing in back corner, smoking) and Leen (peering out of the window, over Jan) For reference, Jaap de Fouw and Leendert are not in this photo. Also for clarity, young Piet de Fouw’s parents were Jaap and Ploon de Fouw, and toddler Lenie Sonneveld’s parents were Kees and Grie Sonneveld. As this photo was taken in the backyard of Margrietstraat 20, and the family only moved there in 1936, and because Pieter Sonneveld died in 1939, and gauging by the apparent age of Jan, this photo was likely taken in 1938. That would mean that Leen was about 18, Piet about 17, Jan about 14, Kees about 12 and Bertus about 10. Piet de Fouw would have been 15, and Lenie 3.

van Pelt

This, remarkably, was the last photograph with all five of the boys.

Five Brothers and a War

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