Calling all Dutch members

[PPS]

I need a bit of help here please.

Is anyone able to translate the words below please?

Ontracht dit klein gedenkenis
Als de boodschapper
Van mijne wenschen

They apparently appear at the bottom of a soldiers discharge papers. The person asking thinks that it is German, but I am more inclined to think that they are Dutch (Although I may be wrong )

Any help appreciated.

Paul.

P.S. My apologies, the text is on a piece of card along with the Discharge Papers

Paul.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Paul,

It is Dutch, but I am a bit at loss translating it. Very dated text!

Stand by.

Hanno

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Paul,

It is Dutch, but I a bit at loss translating it. Very dated text!

Stand by.

Hanno

Thanks Hanno,

It apparently dates from WW2, and was found amongst the effects of this persons grandafather.

Trying translation programmes I have found a possibility for some of the words, but I am beginning to think that it maybe either, as you say, dated, or else a dialect with German influences. For example I could not find "wenschen" but found "wensen" (Dutch) and "wunsche" (German).

Paul.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by PPS

Ontracht dit klein gedenkenis

?? this small token of remembrance

Paul, the first word has me baffled, and my dictionary too. Are you sure you quoted this correct?

The next two lines:

Originally Posted by PPS

Als de boodschapper
Van mijne wenschen

translate as follows:

As the messenger
Of my wishes

HTH,
Hanno

[PPS]

Hanno,

You are a gentleman and a scholar.

I had very roughly worked out something similar. I have asked the person in question if the script was English or Continental based (if you understand what I mean).

They are to try and get to a scanner and send it on to me. When, and if, it arrives I will post it here.

Thank you again Hanno.

Paul.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

could well be Flemish... he has been my little messenger! best regards malcolm

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

According to my Mum, this is the translation;

Looking back on this small remembrance
As the messenger
Of my wishes.

This would relate to the discharge papers being a remembrance of the soldier's wish to be discharged.

Bob

[PPS]

I have received a copy of the actual card and the image is edited to cut it down in size.

You will see that the word is "Ontvangt" and not "Ontracht".

In my limited capacity I found the the Dutch word for "Receive" is "Ontvang". The text seems to make a little more sense now!!.

Paul.

[Alex van de Wetering]

Paul,

I agree, "Ontvangt" would be translated as "Receive". But could also be translated as "accept".

I tend to think it would read something like this:

"Accept this small (sign of) remembrance"

[PPS]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

Paul,

I agree, "Ontvangt" would be translated as "Receive". But could also be translated as "accept".

I tend to think it would read something like this:

"Accept this small (sign of) remembrance"

Many thanks Alex. It makes even more sense using "Accept" rather than "Receive".

Paul.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Alex van de Wetering

But could also be translated as "accept".

I tend to think it would read something like this:

"Accept this small (sign of) remembrance"

Yes, in this case it should be translated as "accept".

Accept this small token of remembrance
As the messenger
Of my wishes

Mystery solved!

Regards,
Hanno

[PPS]

Thank you to all for your help. The person who originally sent it to me asks me to send thanks on his behalf.

Paul.