1/4 The Raaijmakers couple whose wedding ring has been found (photo: Tom Berkers / Omroep Brabant)
A lost wedding ring was found after 63 years on a meadow in Langenboom. The wedding ring was from the now deceased father of Ad and Wim Raaijmakers, with whom the ring returned. “This is very special,” the brothers say.
The ring was found by hobby archaeologist Jaap de Jong. When the metal detector caught on, Jaap was happy that he had found gold. “I went to the landowners to ask if the ring might have been theirs, but they couldn’t do anything with it,” says Jaap.
After a call on Facebook, Maurice Roefs from Grave hooked up. He does family tree research more often and eventually came to the Ad and Wim brothers.
On the receipt
“I just got into the car on the receipt and drove to the address I had received. I rang the bell and asked if the wedding date 4 November 1952 tells them something. They were a bit speechless in the beginning, that I brought that wedding ring back after 63 years,” says Jaap.
Wim says he was totally surprised by Jaap’s visit. “He said he had found my father’s wedding ring. I said: that seems strong to me, because he has lost for over 60 years,” says Wim.
Lost in Put
Wim remembers how the ring was lost. “I remember getting a calf from a cow at the farm. Then I was 7 years old and I went with my father. We were ready and went home in the evening. Then he realized that he had lost his wedding ring,” he says.
“I think the ring of his hand was shot and entered a well where the manure of the cows ended up. So the ring went onto the country. The ring is now found after 63 years. It is unbelievable,” says the son.
Mother is still alive
When asked what it means for the family that the ring has been found, Wim says: “It is very beautiful, especially because our mother is still alive. She hopes to be 102 years old this year. She will not get it all more, that is actually the pity of it.
Wim gave the ring to his brother Ad. “I think that is very special,” he responds. “I also know who will inherit the ring when I am no longer there, so we hope to keep the ring in the family.”
