1919-2008

OBITUARY

KNOWN to most as Bert, Hubertus Johannes De Reus died on November 15 at the age of 89.

The long-time Berwick resident is survived by his wife Nel, 10 children, 27grandchildren and 14great-grandchildren.

Bert was born in Holland on August 24, 1919.

The son of a butcher, he came from a large Dutch Catholic family, with six brothers and four sisters.

Bert had hoped to finish high school, but he was working in the family's butcher shop when he was 14.

As a 20-year-old, he joined the army and was posted near Velsen in Holland.

It was at one of the soldiers' socials at Velsen that Bert met Nel Zonneveldt.

Not long afterwards, he was taken to Germany and forced to work in a labour camp.

He tended the sick in the camp hospital, and recalled burying 74 inmates in his time there.

He wrote to the men's families, smuggling the letters out to be posted to the Red Cross in Switzerland. Eventually, Bert escaped the camp and lived the rest of the war with a German family, helping to run their farm.

When the war ended in 1945, Bert returned to Holland and he and Nel were married on August1 that year.

Memories of war stayed with Bert and he decided to make a fresh start. They migrated to Australia, where another five children were born.

The family lived in several places in Melbourne and made Berwick their home in 1984. Bert was well known among the Berwick community. He is lovingly remembered by family and friends for his great character, his service and bravery in war, and his dedication to his family.

He was also an active member of the St Gregorius and Australian Dutch Male choirs.

Singing was one of his passions and he sang at various festivals and twice at the Sydney Opera House.

His children wish to say to him, "Sing on, Dad, sing on".