Date of birth:

April 21st, 1921 (Mexico City, Mexico)

Date of death:

January 1st, 2010 (Ridderkerk, The Netherlands)

Service number:

285966

Nationality:

Dutch (1815-present, Kingdom)

Being in England for his education, in 1942 Groeninx van Zoelen joined the Prinses Irene Brigade, a Dutch Army unit based in England and, after six months at Sandhurst, was posted to No. 2 Household Cavalry Regiment.
In July 1944 Groeninx van Zoelen landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy. The regiment had the role of a reconnaissance unit for the Guards Armoured Division.
He entered Brussels with his regiment in September 1944 and crossed the Dutch border near Valkenswaard
Six months later he was wounded in the face at the Battle of the Rhine Crossing and evacuated to England but, in May 1945, returned to his regiment in time to celebrate the end of the war at Cuxhaven. After five years absence he returned home.
He was appointed ADC to the military governor of The Hague until his demobilisation in 1946 and then briefly joined Shell before moving to the airline KLM, where he worked until 1960. He then worked at the bank Samuel Montagu.
The last years of his life he devoted his time to the family house, Huys ten Donck which had been in the family for 300 years.
Pico Groeninx van Zoelen is burried in the family tomb on the cemetary in Ridderkerk.

Promotions:
November 20th, 1943: Reserve-2nd Lieutenant of Cavaly
March 1st, 1948: Reserve-Lieutenant
Honorary Lieutenant Royal Horse Guards

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

1e Luitenant (Lieutenant)

Unit:

No. 2 Household Cavalry Regiment

Awarded on:

November 30th, 1944

Citation:
"On 31 Aug 44 this officer was ordered to siege and hold a bridge over the River Somme with his troop. This necessitated a long approach march throughout the night. In a wood strong enemy opposition was encountered. By his dash and determination Lieutenant Groeninx van Zoelen's Troop was able to shoot its way through, and from here to the Bridge many enemy were encountered and shot up. On approaching this Bridge civilians told him that the enemy were in considerable strength round the Bridge and that they were undecided about blowing it. Lieutenant Groeninx van Zoelen decided to charge the Bridge with his Troop. This was carried out under a hail of fire, heavy casualties being inflicted on the enemy. Lieutenant Groeninx van Zoelen and his Troop held the Bridge from mid-day until the following morning inspite of several counter attacks by vastly superior enemy forces.
It was entirely due to the dash and determination of this Offr that the Bridge was captured and held."

Awarded as an immediate MC.
Granted permission to wear by the Dutch Governement by Royal Decree no. ? dated May 19th, 1945

• - Copy of the original recommendation - STIWOT-archive
  - The Dutch Medals Page
  - The Telegraph - Obituaries