Enter the Liberators

As a child, I told my friends with pride that the 53th Welsh Division monument was also a very small piece of my grandfather's.

Private 1th class Charles Ernest Ambrose, was one of the British heroes who fought with the commitment of his own body and members in a days-long and very hard battle. Hertogenbosch has been liberated.

Grandad almost never told us anything about his four long war years serving his country as a British soldier. With scorching Africa as a baptism of fire, followed by the invasion of southern Italy, he later fought his way through the beaches of Normandy, straight through France and Belgium, a way to the woman who would later become my grandmother... Hat makers stone.

Nevertheless, over the years, I picked up more and more stories about the heavy fighting for my hometown, which made my pride not only grow enormously, but also much more intense. Possibly because I myself as a military man have experienced what it is like to fight far from home for the freedom of others.

Today, October 27, I was again, like every year, full of pride and with moist eyes (and not even from the pouring rain) at the annual commemoration for the liberation of 's-Hertogenbosch. The dressing was now extra special and impressive because at least 146 red flags were placed straight into the ground around the monument. One red flag at the end of a one meter-long piece of bamboo as a symbol for every cranky British soldier.

The number 146 contains only 3 digits and is pronounced very quickly ...but seeing this number in the form of a whole field full of 146 red flags it's getting in for a while...makes it tangible.

In honor of my grandfather and all those who have fought under the "Welsh Dragon flag" for the freedom of our Bossche Dragon, tonight I pay an honorary salute and toast to the liberators with "PAX 44 - LIBERATOR"

LIBERATOR is a unique whisky, specially made in honor of the liberation of ''s-Hertogenbosch and will be released this October. The details are very cool. Both the Bossche Dragon and the "breakthrough point" LOCK 0 can be found on both the beautiful steel logo and the packaging. Really beautiful and respectful.

Grandpa, thank you for all the sacrifices you made..... That's why I am now full of awe and respect, but above all... The glass to you with great pride. to the 53rd Welsh Division and to the 146 fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight to free the Bosch Dragon. 

CHEERS to you... CHEERS to the liberators....

LEST WE FORGET ...

Marco Kroon