Page 3 - Lambert Wackers

Lambert grew up in the same province and lived through the same economic recession
(1870 to 1880). Although this may have played a role, Lambert already had a clear plan. He
applied to KMA to join the Genie in Oost Indië (Corps of Engineers in the East Indies)
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After four years of training at the KMA, Lambert graduated in 1883 as 2 lieutenant of the
Genie. He committed to five years of service with the Corps of Engineers (Genie) of the
Koninklijk Nederlandsch Indische Leger (KNIL, Royal Netherlands East Indies Army).

I find it fascinating that in the 19 century, one could follow a person's travels from far
th
away by reading newspapers' Shipping News. Using that information, I could reconstruct
Lambert’s military career movements more or less accurately. A confounding aspect is that
“news” was frequently delayed and sometimes did not coincide with reality. Another
limitation is that the newspaper messages usually do not reveal military tasks awaiting.
The map below shows the places (red dots) where Lambert Wackers went during his
military career.

• 1883, Shipping News: “On November 28, the steam ship (s.s.) Prinses Wilhelmina will
depart from Amsterdam for the East Indies with a military detachment under command of
1 lieutenant of the infantry, JM Henning, with as co-commander 2 Lieutenant of the Corps
nd
st
of Engineers L.H.F. Wackers.”
• 1884, January 21, “L.H.F. Wackers has been assigned to join “works” in Bandjermasin.”
• February 15, 1884 " the recently arrived from the Netherlands 2 Lieutenant L.H.F.
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Wackers of the Corps of Engineers, departed with s.s. Gouverneur Loudon from Batavia to
Surabaja.”

Fort Willem-I, Corps of Engineers
Lambert stayed for two years in Surabaja. What he did during the 2-years-posting remains
unknown. During this time, he was promoted to 1 lieutenant. On 1886, July 1, 1886,
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Wackers was assigned to the Corps of Engineers at Fort Willem I.
Lambert must have been content that he was promoted and that he finally arrived at a
posting where he was incorporated with the Corps of Engineers. Joining the Genie had been
his goal from the very start of his training at the KMA. He was now 24 years old.
He was a member of the Dutch Royal Institute of Engineers from 1881-1888.

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