Belgium - Servais family, 1940s

[Bawtry]

Please can any help or advise how I can progress my search for this family. I am at a loss as to where to start and you have all been so helpful in the past.

My grandfather George William Stanley served in the second world war. He was 39-45 years of age during this war (Service Corps I think) but was a mechanic by trade. He also served in the first world war.

He died in 1965 but I have recently been given a photograph that belonged to him, of a Belgian family who he either billeted with, or helped him in some way in the war. I know that he was still in touch with them in 1955 because they came to England to attend my grandmother's funeral.

 On the back of the photograph are the names:

 Jean, Joujon (?), Renee, Monique, M et Mme Servais, 26 rue Van Lint (possibly Rint), Bruxelles.

I am just intrigued as to find who they were and if any of these children are still alive and how they helped my grandfather. I realise that Servais is a relatively common Belgian name.

Does anyone know if there are Belgian records online that I can trace this family or even if there are any local newspapers in Brussels that I could send a letter and the attached photographs to?

Many thanks for any responses or time taken to help.

[Bawtry]

Apologies for the size of the photo, wasn't sure how to reduce it!

[Dreamlight]

Hello,
I saw the photo of the Servais family in the 1940s and I can tell you exactly who they were as my mother is the young lady standing at the back, and I have my own copy of this photo. You won't be surprised but she's not called Joujon!

My mother was Marie-Louise Servais, like her mother, but her nick name was YouYou.

It was taken at 26 Rue Van Lint in Bruxelles. I have photos of the family welcoming Allied troops that were driving down Rue Van Lint.

There was a family story that there was a motor cyle messenger that drove from a major battle back to Bruxelles and then slept a solid 24-48 hours at their home. Maybe that was your grandfather.

My mother did have an English friend that she visited in the 1950s, before marrying my English father in Bruxelles in 1955. She lived in England from that point but the others lived in Belgium and Switzerland.

Sadly my mother died in 2002, but Monique, the youngest, is still alive (2023).

I'll try to get a message to Monique's family to see if they know more.

John

[pb_devon]

Hi John welcome to Rootschat.  What a terrific reply.
This is a big contender for Rootschat success of the year (if there is such a thing!). I hope Bawtry gets to see your reply.  They’ve not been on here since 2017 (click on their name to see this info).
Something to note though….our rules do not allow us to discuss living people so your posts should reflect that.

[garstonite]

How fabulous - would love to hear Moniques story - that would fascinate me ....

[Bawtry]

Hello,
I saw the photo of the Servais family in the 1940s and I can tell you exactly who they were as my mother is the young lady standing at the back, and I have my own copy of this photo. You won't be surprised but she's not called Joujon!

My mother was Marie-Louise Servais, like her mother, but her nick name was YouYou.

It was taken at 26 Rue Van Lint in Bruxelles. I have photos of the family welcoming Allied troops that were driving down Rue Van Lint.

There was a family story that there was a motor cyle messenger that drove from a major battle back to Bruxelles and then slept a solid 24-48 hours at their home. Maybe that was your grandfather.

My mother did have an English friend that she visited in the 1950s, before marrying my English father in Bruxelles in 1955. She lived in England from that point but the others lived in Belgium and Switzerland.

Sadly my mother died in 2002, but Monique, the youngest, is still alive (2023).

I'll try to get a message to Monique's family to see if they know more.

John

Hi John!

This is Bawtry (my real name is Catherine). You have made my day with your response - thank you so much! For years and years, I have been fascinated by this photo and the story my mother told me about her father. I even ordered his service records from the UK government to try and narrow down when he was in various countries. He served in WW1 but then he also served in WW2 and seemed to be in various countries before liberation. I know by trade he was a motor mechanic and driver so maybe we was part of some preparation force, unsure. He was a man who didn't talk about the war except for the people he met. This family was clearly remembered with affection and they attended my grandmothers funeral in 1955, I definitely know that.

My mother is still alive at 85 and will be thrilled to find out more about the family, if you are willing to share. My grandfather died in 1965 at age 65 and I never knew him but from what I know of him, I am very proud of him.

I would love to know more about the family - what they did for a living, what happened to subsequent generations but obviously, only if you are willing to share.

Thank you so much for your response and for solving our mystery.

[Bawtry]

@dreamlight

I have spoken to my mother and she confirmed that her father used to have a army issue motor cycle during the war and when he was stationed in England at the start of WW2, he used to be able to come home some weekends on it. So that definitely sounds like it was my grandfather.

[Bawtry]

This is what my grandfather would have looked like at the time - in a WW2 army photo

[Dreamlight]

@dreamlight

I have spoken to my mother and she confirmed that her father used to have a army issue motor cycle during the war and when he was stationed in England at the start of WW2, he used to be able to come home some weekends on it. So that definitely sounds like it was my grandfather.

Sounds like your grandfather and his motorbike might be a match for the story I heard. Love to know about his military records and where he went in europe during the war.