1913

20 year later

In the latest episode of 'Oorlogsverhalen van ons moe', Bart shares his grandmother's recollection from the World War II era, centering around their small farmhouse in Steenheuvels surrounded by pine forests. The story features a unique character, a Serb deserter who hid in their house and developed a bond with the family. Despite the family's efforts to keep him hidden, he was eventually caught by German soldiers with a picture of Bart's elder sister in his possession, sparking fear through the family. Bart's uncle and aunt were captured temporarily while the Serb survived. The consequences of wartime conditions were clearly felt in their daily life, from their mother's fear of venturing into the forests to the disappearance of their cow, possibly stolen by two deserting Belarusians hiding in the area. The episode caps off emphasizing how news spread rapidly even in a time without telephones. * file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/dossier%20stamboom/nl-155x235.docx#_ftn1 * file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/dossier%20stamboom/nl-155x235.docx#_ftn2

1913

In the podcast script titled 'Oorlogsverhalen van ons moe' (War Stories from Our Mom), Bart shares stories from his grandmother's childhood during the First World War in Belgium. Recollecting her early memories, she speaks of her family's interactions with the German soldiers during the occupation - providing them shelter, mending their clothes and even sharing food supplies. Amid the war's harsh realities, moments of humanity were exchanged, such as an ill family member being gifted horse meat or a German soldier filling their homes with tunes from his homeland on an accordion. Her tales reveal the resilience and compassion demonstrated by ordinary people grappling with the adversities of war, preserving a pivotal slice of family and regional history.