Taxi Charity Dutch adviser awarded MBE at Hague Ceremony
The UK Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper CMG, presented Taxi Charity’s Dutch Adviser Frans Ammerlaan with an honorary MBE.
On Friday 6 September, veterans and volunteers from the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans gathered at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in The Hague for a special reception.
The honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) was awarded to Ammerlaan by His Majesty King Charles III, recognising his dedication to commemorating World War Two veterans.
Ammerlaan has been associated with the Taxi Charity since 2010 and took on the role of ambassador for the organisation in April 2023.
Beyond his work with the charity, Ammerlaan is also the founder of the Market Garden Foundation, an organisation dedicated to preserving the history of Operation Market Garden, a key Allied operation in 1944. The foundation has preserved a wealth of historical materials over the past 25 years, including photographs, film extracts, maps, and personal accounts.
UK Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joanna Roper CMG, said: “I am honoured once again to host veterans, their family, and volunteers from the Taxi Charity in The Hague, arriving in a fleet of London Taxis. This year is particularly special as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Operation Market Garden. It is a privilege to hear the stories from the veterans and an important reminder that we must continue to remember the bravery and service that they, and their fallen comrades, showed during the Second World War.
“It was also a pleasure to meet the volunteers from the Taxi Charity, without whom these visits would not be possible. This year the Airborne commemorations have sought to shine a spotlight on the volunteers who have driven commemorations for the past 80 years. Therefore, it seemed particularly fitting that I also awarded, on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, an honorary MBE to Frans Ammerlaan, for his service to commemorations in the Netherlands.”
Frans Ammerlaan, Adviser to the Taxi Charity for Military veterans, said: “What an honour to have my family and my Taxi Charity friends with me today as I received my honorary MBE. It was a wonderful occasion and I am very grateful to Ambassador Joanna Roper for inviting us to this reception at her Residence and taking the time to talk to so many of the veterans and the charity volunteers.”
Geoff Roberts, a veteran of Operation Market Garden, said: “I am absolutely delighted that my great friend Frans Ammerlaan, who has done so much to support and remember those of us who participated in Operation Market Garden has been made an MBE.”
Paul Cook, London Cab Driver and Vice Chairman of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “It was an absolute honour to join Frans today as Ambassador Joanna Roper presented him with his honorary MBE. Frans has worked so hard for our veterans and it is down to his enthusiasm, dedication and tireless efforts that our trips to the Netherlands since 2012 have been possible.”
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