1893
Personal details
- Forenames
- Gerrit Willem
- Surname
- Vaags
- Born
- Aalten, 27 June 1893
- 27 June 1893
Born
AaltenOpen Archieven
- 1950
Secretary of
Aaltens BelangAdresboek der Gemeente Aalten, 1950 — verenigingen
- 1950
Secretary of
Steunt-Elkander", onderl. ver. v. ziekenhuisverpleging en ziekenvervoerAdresboek der Gemeente Aalten, 1950 — verenigingen
Family
Parents
Bernardus Gerhardus Vaags
1855–1936
Only family relationships reviewed by Old Aalten are shown.
Sources
- ECAL – bevolkingsregister Aalten 1910–1920
- Open Archieven – Birth record, inv. no. 6770.06, folio 103
Gerrit Willem Vaags was born on 27 June 1893 in Aalten, the son of Bernardus Gerhardus Vaags and Hermanna Johanna Petronella ten Dam. His father was a co-founder of the Aalten pipe factory Becking & Vaags and was himself closely involved in local associations.
Manufacturer on Stationsstraat
Gerrit Willem Vaags is listed in the population register as a manufacturer. On the basis of the sources found so far, it has not yet been possible to establish with certainty which business he ran or worked for.
In 1919 he commissioned architect S. Schaap to build the villa at Stationsstraat 12. He lived there with Anje Helena de Langen. G.W. Vaags is also listed at this address in the 1934 and 1967 directories.
Aaltens Belang
For many years Vaags was active in Aaltens Belang, the association that worked to improve the village’s development and amenities. In the board photograph marking the association’s 25th anniversary in 1923, he is identified as secretary.
Aaltens Belang was involved in a wide range of matters, including education for shopkeepers and tradespeople, tourism, exhibitions, nature conservation and practical village amenities. One of those amenities was Aalten’s first organised refuse collection.
The ash cart
In the 1930s, Aaltens Belang arranged for ash and other household waste to be collected with a so-called aschkar, or ash cart. Residents paid an annual contribution for the service. Historical accounts name G.W. Vaags as treasurer of Aaltens Belang in connection with this scheme. He was therefore directly involved in an early forerunner of municipal refuse collection.
Also active in health care
His involvement in public life continued for many years. The 1950 directory again lists G.W. Vaags as secretary of Aaltens Belang. In the same year he was also secretary of Steunt-Elkander, the mutual association for hospital care and patient transport.
Vaags is therefore an example of the Aalten shopkeepers and manufacturers who, alongside their own work, took long-term administrative responsibility for local services and associations. His date of death has not yet been established; the 1967 directory still lists him at Stationsstraat 12.