[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

An almost forgotten unit: Het Vrouwenkorps van het KNIL (VK - KNIL) = The Womens Corps of the Netherlands East Indies Army.

After that the Netherlands had been liberated in spring 1945 recruitment of young girls for service with the KNIL in the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) began. Recruitment had however started in Australia, Canada and US already early 1944. The need for women in the KNIL was estimated thus:

100 Persons with good knowledge of NEI (incl language) and suitable as Officers and NCOs.
760 Medical Services
380 Social Services
165 Administrative Services
60 Telephone- and Radio operators

The first group (recruited in Australia, Canada and US) arrived 17 Sept 1945 and organized an Emergency Hospital in the former Parliament (Volksraad) in Batavia/Jakarta. The hospital (with a o 2 VK Surgeons) was used for treating ex-POWs. It was dissolved in March 1947.

The first group from the Netherlands (180 VK-ers, mostly medical)arrived to Penang in Nov 1945 and Batavia/Jakarta Jan 1946.

Commanding officer was Captain Mrs. C.A. "Billie" Smit.

The HQ was organized in the Ursulinen Klooster(convent), Batavia/Jakarta, in Nov 1945.

The VK-KNIL was disbanded in 1950. The unit never made big headlines in the military history, but for these young girls it was an important period in their lives, that should be remembered.

Enclosed: A picture of a VK-KNIL group outside the HQ in Batavia.

Greetings

Stellan