Five Brothers and a War

Postscript: Cornelis (“Kees”) van Pelt

With almost no money, Kees took a job as a “tree surgeon”—a job that permitted the landed immigrant visa needed to make the move. Their first child, Leendert Derrick (“Leo”—in Dutch pronounced “Lay-oh”), was born May 10, 1952—twelve years to the day after the German invasion of Holland. The middle name was a nod to the van der Lecq side, being a variation of “Dirk”.

Helen and Allan Fawcett were family friends after Allan sponsored Kees and Flora’s move to Canada. Here they enjoyed an outing in Niagara Falls in 1952. Leo was asleep in the car nearby.

van Pelt

Five Brothers and a War

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