The house in Leens where Ailke Westerhof died in 1946 is the same location where she was born seventy years earlier. As a Dutch nurse, her professional trajectory took her far from the Groningen countryside to serve in high-stakes medical theaters across Europe during the Balkan Wars and the First World War.
Military Nursing Service
Between 1912 and 1919, Westerhof worked within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Her service focused on the Balkan region, including assignments in Hungary and Serbia. While in the Serbian city of Valjevo, she operated under the direction of Dr. Arius van Tienhoven, focusing her care specifically on patients suffering from typhus.
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After her wartime service, she transitioned to civilian positions in the Netherlands. She held employment with the Amsterdamse Vrijwillige Burgerwacht and provided nursing instruction for the Red Cross in Amsterdam. Her professional contributions gained significant public recognition, resulting in her appointment as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1924. In 1935, Princess Juliana presented her with the Florence Nightingale Medal. Serbian authorities also acknowledged her commitment, awarding her the Cross of Mercy and a medal for bravery.
Legacy and Local History
The family property in Leens, which functioned as a forge for her parents Ebel Westerhof and Itje de Vries, became a national monument following restoration work that began in 1975. The street containing her birthplace and final residence now bears the name Zuster A. Westerhofstraat. Furthermore, her likeness was captured in a 1924 portrait by the artist Bart Peizel.
Fast facts
- Born: 1876, Leens
- Died: 1946, Leens
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Occupation: Nurse
- Employer: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau: 1924
- Florence Nightingale Medal: 1935
Questions readers ask
Where did Ailke Westerhof serve during the First World War?
She served in Hungary and Serbia, specifically treating typhus patients in Valjevo.
What recognition did she receive for her nursing work?
She was named a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau in 1924 and received the Florence Nightingale Medal in 1935, alongside Serbian honors including the Cross of Mercy.
Achievements
- Florence Nightingale Medal — 1935
- Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau — 1924
- Held posts at International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
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