KNIL soldier Anne Beetstra: A Dutch-Canadian woman at Camp Columbia, 1944–46

This compelling first-person account, written by her daughter Claire Smith-Burns, traces the remarkable wartime journey of Anna Wiebrigje Beetstra, a Dutch-Canadian woman who served in the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL) during the final years of World War II. Born in Friesland in 1923 and raised in British Columbia, Anne was inspired to join the Dutch war effort after a personal encounter with Princess Juliana in Vancouver.

After training in the United States with the Women’s Army Corps, Anne was posted to Camp Columbia in Wacol, Brisbane, in late 1944. Through vivid letters and anecdotes, we gain an intimate look at life in the women’s barracks at Camp Columbia, from daily work in army offices and language training, to weekend dances, horseback riding, friendships, and the discomforts of tropical insects and limited supplies. Anne’s correspondence also captures the psychological toll of war, especially for those separated from loved ones or facing trauma—such as hearing of the fate of friends taken prisoner by the Japanese.

In 1945, Anne and her fellow KNIL women were deployed to Batavia (Jakarta), entering a post-war environment of food shortages and civil unrest in the wake of Indonesian independence. She eventually returned home to Canada in 1946, where she resumed civilian life, married, and raised a family. Her story stands as a unique testament to the often-overlooked contributions of Dutch women in military service during WWII—particularly those stationed in Australia.

This rich and engaging story (published under the photo gallery) is based on Anne’s wartime letters and her daughter’s reflections, offering a rare perspective on the international and personal dimensions of the Allied war effort centred at Camp Columbia.

Photo gallery

This photo gallery is based on pictures form the personal collection of Claire Smith-Burns, Kelowna, BC, Canada. For many years she has been putting together the story of her mother Anne Beetstra while she was at Camp Columbia with the Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL).

Anne Beetstra and Teresa van de Wint
Alice van de Wint, unknown, Teresa van de Wint, Anne Beetstra, Auto Studios, Brisbane.
Anne Beetstra in KNIL uniform
Anne Beetstra, 11 Nov 1945, Camp Columbia
Anne Beetstra
Entrance Camp Columbia
Camp Columbia Head Office Buildings
Camp Columbia Head Office Building
Behind Officers Club, Camp Columbia
Teresa van de Wint, unknown, unknown, Anne Beetstra, Alice van de Wint
Building at Camp Columbia
Car at Camp Columbia
Commissary, Camp Columbia
Entrance to Officers Club, Camp Columbia
Jan van der Pol, Camp Columbia
Mess Hall Camp Columbia
Mess Hall Camp Columbia
Women walking towards the ness hall
Road near Camp Columbia
Main road Camp Columbia
Road near Camp Columbia
Camp Columbia (?) Anne Beetstra under the lamp left to an unknown woman
At Camp Columbia Jan van de Pol on the motorbike, others unknown.
Woman Corps marching, Anne Beetstra at the back
Outdoor theatre (Bioscoop)

See also:

Personal stories from the Women Army Corps – trained at Camp Columbia

Personal recollections Camp Columbia – Jean van Schilfgaarde

Joan McConachy – secretary at Camp Columbia

Patricia Metcalfe and Wim van Wely met at Camp Columbia.

Dutch Women Army Corps at Yeronga Park Brisbane (WWII)

Saluut Batavia – Uncovering the untold story of female KNIL soldiers in Indonesia

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