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From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2025 11:06 AM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: Father Raymond De Jaegher
Dear Christophe,
Thank you for your message and news about Father de Jaegher. He was a good man.
… you must also read: “The Belgian Mandarin — Paul Splingard”
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org/books(other)/BelgianMandarin/belgianMandarin.htm
and:
http://weihsien-paintings.org/books(other)/BelgiumTianjin/BelgiumTianjin.htm
http://weihsien-paintings.org/books(other)/BelgianPassageChina/BelgianPassageChina.htm
bien amicalement,
Léopold
From: Christophe RUYSSEN
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2025 9:37 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Dear Sir,
Sent: Saturday, June 28, 2025 9:37 AM
To: Leopold PANDER
Subject: Re: Father Raymond De Jaegher
Dear Sir,
Thank you very much for the links and info on father Raymond De Jaegher.
My late mother was a catholic girl from China, Hebei province, the old walled city of Zhengding, nowadays absorbed by the Hebei provincial capital Shijiazhuang.
She was the eldest of five siblings, and at the time studied at Fu Jen Catholic University (FJU, FJCU: 天主教輔仁大學 or 輔仁大學) in the Chinese capital Beijing.
In 1948 in the dangerous situation, she went to Hong Kong, to be able to help the family. After a few years there and in a very difficult situation she was helped by father Raymond De Jaegher to obtain a scholarship for medical studies at the Catholic University of Louvain. There she had to start from scratch. After a few years she met the son of medical doctor from Ghent. A few years later in 1960 I was born.
To express their gratitude to father De Jaegher my parents asked him to become my godfather. He accepted and in the years after regularly wrote to us and sent me kind Chinese presents. He was always traveling internationally.
It is only now after having lived in China for a quarter century as a Belgian,
that I am becoming fully aware of how meaningful and influential
the benevolence of father De Jaegher has been on the lives of my parents and me.
It is interesting you mention your father was a banker.
The main link between Hebei province and Beijing is a rail track.
The rail track still exists, arguably part of China's most important line.
The rail line was built with considerable Belgian
financial and rail-technical support. In the train museum of Beijing, you will see several steam locs that worked in China but were built in Liege.
On "Google" I find the following:
BNP Paribas has a history of involvement in major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Beijing-Hankou railway in China during the early 20th century. The bank and its predecessor organizations played a role in financing and facilitating this project. The Beijing-Hankou railway was a significant undertaking, connecting the capital with Hankou (now part of Wuhan). BNP Paribas has also participated in other railway-related exhibitions and events, both in China and globally.
When they were planning to build the track and "train-post", the citizens of Zhengding did not want this new station to be built in their beautiful ancient city. The train station was built at the other side of the river, 25 kilometers away.
There this "new thing" became the capital Shijiazhuang that has now absorbed Zhengding.
Wishing you a sunny summer 2025 weekend,
And thank you again!
Christophe Ruyssen
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2025 10:06 AM
To: 'Christophe RUYSSEN'
Subject: RE: Father Raymond De Jaegher
Dear Christophe,
… many thanks for your message. I will continue in English as my knowledge of Flemish is very limited.
Indeed, our Weihsien-paintings’ website often mentions “Father De Jaegher.” He was a Belgian priest in camp and my father was a Belgian banker in the same place and both spoke French. Of course, they sympathised and exchanged a lot of confidential information. In camp as well as much later on when the war was over, Father de Jaegher often visited us in Brussels and they used to have long conversations together.
From the http://www.weihsien-paintings.org website, GoTo:
http://weihsien-paintings.org/rdjaegher/index.php
… a chapter about Raymond de Jaegher.
Also, in Weihsien, Father Hanquet was a Belgian missionary of the S.A.M. and still alive when I was building this website. I questioned him.
When Raymond de Jaegher died in New York, it was Emmanuel Hanquet who went to New York to repatriate all his personal documents back to Belgium. I saw all those documents piled at a location → S.A.M. Société des Auxiliaires Des Missions a.s.b.l. Chaussée de Waterloo, 244 – 1060 Saint-Gilles-Bruxelles. Tel: (+Belgium) 02 537 71 20.
http://weihsien-paintings.org/hanquet/SAM/p_56.htm
From our website, you can explore all about the escape of two prisoners: Hummel and Tipton.
http://weihsien-paintings.org/hanquet/text/txt_SuccessfullGetaway.htm
also mentioned in all the books about Weihsien:
http://weihsien-paintings.org/books/index.php
Hope you manage 😊
Beste groeten – bien amicalement,
Leopold
From: Christophe RUYSSEN
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 6:24 PM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: Father Raymond De Jaegher
Geachte dame of heer,
Dear madam, Sir,
I am the godchild of father Raymond De Jaegher.
Ik ben het petekind van Raymond De Jaegher.
Ik ben zeer geïnteresseerd in de materialen en verhalen over hem.
I am quite interested in knowing more about him.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this,
Dank bij voorbaat voor uw aandacht in dezen,
Christophe RUYSSEN
From: Carinne Cunningham
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 10:11 PM
To: Carinne Cunningham ; Christopher Cunningham ; Alexandra Cunningham
Subject: Solange Jacqueline MacLean - Arlington National Cemetary - Sept 22, 2025
Dear Family and Friends,
Solange MacLean's Celebration of Life will take place on September 22, 2025. She will be interned with her beloved husband, Bill MacLean, at Arlington National Cemetary.
There will be a short chapel ceremony at Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Arlington, VA, beginning at 2:45pm.
Following the chapel service, attendees will individually drive their own car to the site of the actual burial, section 70 grave #464, where there will be another short ceremony.
Please Note:
- Attendees should plan to be at Old Post Chapel on the base of Fort Myer 45 minutes prior to the chapel service (in other words, arrive to the Chapel at 2:00pm).
- Everyone above the age of 18 must have a valid Real ID or Government ID to enter the base, and above age 16 must have a photo ID.
- Entry to the Fort Myer Base (where the Chapel is located) is via the Hatfield Gate. There will be a security check, so please plan to arrive with time for check-in.
- There is parking in front of the Chapel, and to caravan to the gravesite, everyone will drive their own car. If you arrive without a car, please make arrangements to carpool to the gravesite with one of the other attendees.
After the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary, we will have a reception to celebrate Solange's incredible life. Details of the reception are still coming together, but we will share details soon.
With love,
Carinne and Family
From: Angela
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2025 4:10 AM
To: Leopold Pander ; Leopold Pander ; Janette Ley ; Janet Ley Pander
Subject: Such sad news re Eddie Wang!
Hello,
Was such a pleasure to meet him 2015! I gave him a small piece of
parachute material — larger piece to Sui Shuide. He was a very young
man at the time of the Duck Mission & certainly lived to a very old age!
He must have been 100yrs or more?
Finally his last years had been
pleasant as understand he did go thru hardship earlier due to his
connections with the Americans.
A true spirit & can imagine how
fearful he was with his 1st parachute jump!
Wonder if you remember him during camp days?
He gave such
a nice speech during our reunion & sure it brought back memories
of his time with the camp.
The last of the Duck mission is deceased.
May he rest in peace!
cheers angela
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 9:55 AM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: Sad news
Forwarded by:
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org
We met him in 2015 and still remember his kindness and availability. A generous and most respected person who participated in the liberation of our camp and ready to fight for it. They were fully armed men. Remember?
Thank you to forward our sincere condolences to Eddy Wang’s family.
Regards,
Janette and Leopold Pander
From: 乐道院潍县集中营博物馆
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 9:39 AM
To: 潍县绘画
Subject: Sad news
To the Weihsien Concentration Camp Survivors:
It is with great sorrow that we bring you the sad news of Mr. Wang Chenghan's passing.The last living member of the "Duck" operation team that rescued the Weihsien Concentration Camp, passed away from us forever on May 21, 2025.
When the smoke of history dissipates, Mr. Wang Chenghan has always been a vivid witness to that heroic past. Eighty years ago, he and his comrades from the "Duck" operation team, with fearless courage, broke through the numerous blockades and brought light and freedom into the dark Weihsien Concentration Camp. You may have witnessed his resolute figure with your own eyes. It is precisely their courageous actions that have torn apart the gloom of despair for countless trapped civilians and allowed the hope of life to continue. Now, with his departure, that grand history of rescue has once again closed the chapter of a witness.
Mr. Wang Chenghan always remembered the special years spent with you during his lifetime and cherished the friendship that transcended national boundaries. His passing is not only a great pain for his family, but also a deep sorrow for all those who admire this period of history. But his spirit, along with the heroic deeds of the "Duck" operation team, will forever serve as the spiritual bond connecting us, inspiring future generations to remember history and safeguard peace.
May Mr. Wang Chenghan rest in peace.
With warm greetings
Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum
ldybgs@163.com
#
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2025 6:24 PM
To: weihsien@proximus.be
Subject: Father Raymond De Jaegher
Geachte dame of heer,
Dear madam, Sir,
I am the godchild of father Raymond De Jaegher.
Ik ben het petekind van Raymond De Jaegher.
Ik ben zeer geïnteresseerd in de materialen en verhalen over hem.
I am quite interested in knowing more about him.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this,
Dank bij voorbaat voor uw aandacht in dezen,
Christophe RUYSSEN
Sent: Saturday, June 21, 2025 10:11 PM
To: Carinne Cunningham
Subject: Solange Jacqueline MacLean - Arlington National Cemetary - Sept 22, 2025
Dear Family and Friends,
Solange MacLean's Celebration of Life will take place on September 22, 2025. She will be interned with her beloved husband, Bill MacLean, at Arlington National Cemetary.
There will be a short chapel ceremony at Old Post Chapel, Fort Myer, Arlington, VA, beginning at 2:45pm.
Following the chapel service, attendees will individually drive their own car to the site of the actual burial, section 70 grave #464, where there will be another short ceremony.
Please Note:
- Attendees should plan to be at Old Post Chapel on the base of Fort Myer 45 minutes prior to the chapel service (in other words, arrive to the Chapel at 2:00pm).
- Everyone above the age of 18 must have a valid Real ID or Government ID to enter the base, and above age 16 must have a photo ID.
- Entry to the Fort Myer Base (where the Chapel is located) is via the Hatfield Gate. There will be a security check, so please plan to arrive with time for check-in.
- There is parking in front of the Chapel, and to caravan to the gravesite, everyone will drive their own car. If you arrive without a car, please make arrangements to carpool to the gravesite with one of the other attendees.
After the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary, we will have a reception to celebrate Solange's incredible life. Details of the reception are still coming together, but we will share details soon.
With love,
Carinne and Family
From: Angela
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2025 4:10 AM
To: Leopold Pander
Subject: Such sad news re Eddie Wang!
Hello,
Was such a pleasure to meet him 2015! I gave him a small piece of
parachute material — larger piece to Sui Shuide. He was a very young
man at the time of the Duck Mission & certainly lived to a very old age!
He must have been 100yrs or more?
Finally his last years had been
pleasant as understand he did go thru hardship earlier due to his
connections with the Americans.
A true spirit & can imagine how
fearful he was with his 1st parachute jump!
Wonder if you remember him during camp days?
He gave such
a nice speech during our reunion & sure it brought back memories
of his time with the camp.
The last of the Duck mission is deceased.
May he rest in peace!
cheers angela
From: Leopold PANDER
Sent: Wednesday, May 28, 2025 9:55 AM
To: 'Leopold PANDER'
Subject: FW: Sad news
Forwarded by:
http://www.weihsien-paintings.org
We met him in 2015 and still remember his kindness and availability. A generous and most respected person who participated in the liberation of our camp and ready to fight for it. They were fully armed men. Remember?
Thank you to forward our sincere condolences to Eddy Wang’s family.
Regards,
Janette and Leopold Pander
From: 乐道院潍县集中营博物馆
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 9:39 AM
To: 潍县绘画
To the Weihsien Concentration Camp Survivors:
Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2025 9:39 AM
To: 潍县绘画
Subject: Sad news
To the Weihsien Concentration Camp Survivors:
It is with great sorrow that we bring you the sad news of Mr. Wang Chenghan's passing.The last living member of the "Duck" operation team that rescued the Weihsien Concentration Camp, passed away from us forever on May 21, 2025.
When the smoke of history dissipates, Mr. Wang Chenghan has always been a vivid witness to that heroic past. Eighty years ago, he and his comrades from the "Duck" operation team, with fearless courage, broke through the numerous blockades and brought light and freedom into the dark Weihsien Concentration Camp. You may have witnessed his resolute figure with your own eyes. It is precisely their courageous actions that have torn apart the gloom of despair for countless trapped civilians and allowed the hope of life to continue. Now, with his departure, that grand history of rescue has once again closed the chapter of a witness.
Mr. Wang Chenghan always remembered the special years spent with you during his lifetime and cherished the friendship that transcended national boundaries. His passing is not only a great pain for his family, but also a deep sorrow for all those who admire this period of history. But his spirit, along with the heroic deeds of the "Duck" operation team, will forever serve as the spiritual bond connecting us, inspiring future generations to remember history and safeguard peace.
May Mr. Wang Chenghan rest in peace.
With warm greetings
Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum
ldybgs@163.com
#