Page 2 - Lambert Wackers

From: Part 5 Did I do my Family Right?

by Frans J Th Wackers
October 2022

Lambert Hubertus Franciscus Wackers, Co-

Founder Radio Holland (1862- 1950)

Lambertus Wackers was born in 1862 in a grain mill, the Baalsbruggermolen, in Kerkrade,
South Limburg, on the German border. Three of his four siblings were born in the same
mill. His parents were Frans Antoon Wackers (1828-1889) and Maria Theresa Hubertina Rox
(1834-1869). Frans Antoon was miller, the son and grandson of millers, and the brother of
three millers. Lambert's father was born in Horn, close to Roermond, but on the opposite
shore of the Meuse River. He moved in 1858 to Kerkrade as a miller and started a flour
factory. The Baalsbruggermill was an ancient watermill associated with the Abbey of
Rolduc, in Kerkrade. The origins of the mill go back to the early 1400s. In mid 19th century,
the mill had various owners who turned the mill into a flour factory. Frans Antoon and his
family lived in the mill; it is reasonable to assume that he was an owner.
Despite that background, Lambert did not think that he also should become a miller. He had
other plans.

Baalsbruggermill where Lambert was born

On August 14, 1878, Lambert must have been an excited 16-year- young man. He just
received the news that he passed the admission exam to the Koninklijke Militaire Academie
(KMA, Royal Military Academy). The KMA was, and still is, a reputed school in the
Netherlands for the education and training of Army officers. Before Lambert left for the
academy, he and his father signed a notarized financial guarantor agreement.

The reader may remember that Jan Wackers' (of Gronsveld) motivation to sign up for the
Army in the Dutch East Indies was driven by difficult economic times in Limburg (see
pg.26).

43