Hof der dingen - Military pocketbook

Our province is, sadly, inseparably linked with World War I — also known as the Great War. 

Many West Flemish men were called to duty, some on the eve of the war, others in its aftermath. Every man who entered the army received a military pocketbook, in which his service was recorded in meticulous detail: a physical description, a passport photo, the exams he had passed, dates of leave, and records of time spent on campaign. Every soldier had one. 

These examples come from the Zonnekeyn family. We received one from Louis Zonnekeyn, who began his military service in 1921 at the age of 20, and one from his son Etienne, who entered the army in 1952 — both now part of our Provincial Palace collection. 

With thanks to Mrs. Caroline Zonnekeyn