Conscripted in the air-force (October 1950) as every young man was in those days. Had my initial training in Nymegen, only a short 18 km train journey from my home in Arnhem.
I'm at the top row, second from left.
On new year's eve, I stood guard in front of the barracks fronting the main road. The night was pitch black, it was nippy and light snowflakes were drifting in my face, my thoughts were at home.
At twelve midnight, distant church bells were chiming, car horns blaring and for a split moment I thought participating in pulling the trigger of my Lee Enfield.
My loneliness was gone when some charitable souls across the road brought me cheer in the form of a bowl full of sweet-smelling and hot 'oliebollen' (oil dumplings coated with white icing sugar) and best wishes for the New Year.