Taxi Charity reunion brings joy to WWII veteran Geoff Roberts and his “little Dutch boy”

The enduring bond between the Dutch people and the veterans who helped liberate the Netherlands during WWII was once again beautifully illustrated when 100-year-old Arnhem veteran, Geoff Roberts MBE, was reunited with four-year-old Twan van Wetering during this year’s Dutch Liberation commemorations.

The touching friendship began during the Taxi Charity's visit to the Netherlands last September for the 81st anniversary of Operation Market Garden. Geoff, accompanied by his daughter Claire and son-in-law Tony, attended commemorative events in Oosterbeek where he was presented with a beautiful drawing by Twan honouring the wartime sacrifices of Allied soldiers.

The heartfelt picture deeply moved Geoff and now hangs proudly in his Peterborough home. Although Geoff was unable to properly thank Twan at the time due to the crowds gathered around the veteran, the Taxi Charity helped reunite the pair following a successful appeal.

Since then, Geoff and Twan have become pen pals, regularly exchanging messages and photographs across the generations and across the North Sea. Geoff affectionately refers to Twan as “my little Dutch boy”, a nickname that has become very special to both families.

This May, during the Taxi Charity’s return visit to the Netherlands for Dutch Liberation commemorations, Geoff was finally able to spend more time with Twan and his family in person.

Twan, together with his father Ruud van Wetering and mother Margriet van Wetering, travelled to Bronbeek to warmly welcome Geoff back to the Netherlands, and they joined members of the Taxi Charity for dinner on 5 May, sharing stories and celebrating the extraordinary friendship that has grown from a single drawing.

Nicola, Geoff’s daughter, who accompanied her father on this trip, said: “Dad was absolutely delighted to finally spend time with his little Dutch boy. It was incredibly emotional to see them together again after everything that has happened over the last year. We were also so happy to meet Twan’s parents, Ruud and Margriet, and thank them personally for the kindness they have shown Dad.”

She added: “The friendship between Dad and Twan has brought such happiness to our whole family. It really shows that the sacrifices made during the war are still remembered by younger generations today.”

Margriet said: “We hope that meeting Geoff will become one of Twan’s very first memories as he grows older. It is so special for our family to see this friendship between generations and to know that Twan is learning, from such a young age, about the importance of freedom and remembrance.”

Tony Neal, London cab driver, Taxi Charity trustee and Geoff’s driver during the commemorative visits, said: “It has been a privilege to spend time with Geoff over the years and to now witness this wonderful friendship develop between him and Twan. Geoff is incredibly fond of his ‘little Dutch boy’ and seeing them together in the Netherlands was truly special for everyone involved. These visits are not only about remembrance, but they are also about passing history and friendship from one generation to the next, and Twan represents that beautifully.”

Geoff was just 19-years-old when he landed in the Netherlands in September 1944 as a private in the 7th Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers during Operation Market Garden. He later became a prisoner of war after the Battle of Arnhem and spent the remainder of the war working in a mine.

Now aged 100, Geoff continues to travel to the Netherlands with the Taxi Charity, where he is greeted with immense affection and gratitude by the Dutch people.

Colin Mills, Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “The friendship between Geoff and Twan perfectly captures the spirit of remembrance and gratitude that exists between the Dutch people and our veterans. Seeing generations separated by almost a century form such a genuine bond is incredibly moving. We were honoured to help bring them together once again during this very special visit.”

Photos courtesy of Arjan Vrieze and Margriet van Wetering