3. War pocketbook and identification tag for the Corps of conscript soldier Arie Verbaan - Army Maritime Engineers
In the photos below, you can see the war pocketbook and identification tag of Arie Verbaan. Arie Verbaan was born on December 31, 1913, in The Hague. He was the son of Floris Verbaan and Clasina Groen and lived at the Urkschestraat number 2 in Scheveningen. After completing his education in primary school, he became a fisherman by profession. On February 16, 1933, Arie was drafted as a regular conscript into the Corps of Pontonniers and Torpedisten. He was assigned to the School Company of the Pontonniers in Dordrecht. On July 29, 1933, he went on extended leave. On September 13, 1937, he returned and after attending another exercise in Epe between September 20 and 24, he went on extended leave again on September 29. On August 29, 1939, as part of the General Mobilization, he returned. He remained in service until the outbreak of the war. His service record does not indicate his mobilization destination. Since there were over 1500 Pontonniers and Torpedisten in Dordrecht during May 1940, it is likely that Dordrecht was his destination. It is certain, however, that he experienced the events of May 1940 as a soldier because on May 24, 1940, he went on extended leave for the last time.
The war pocketbook is of the same type as the previously described war pocketbook of Titte Wijbrands. However, this war pocketbook includes his identification tag. The identification tag is made of zinc. It has his name, date of birth, place of birth, conscription number, and military unit stamped on it. The tag was worn around the neck with the help of a cord. In the war pocketbook, you can once again see the stamps of the School Company of the Pontonniers of the Corps of Pontonniers and Torpedisten.
