____________
276-tir93
Bronze medal, Belgium.
Minted around 1940.
Bronze medal, Belgium.
Minted around 1940.
Minimal handling, old patina, some patina defects.
Artist / Graartist / sculptor : Arthur DUPAGNE (1895-1961).
Dimension : 69mm.
Weight : 139 g.
Metal : bronze.
Hallmark on the edge (mark on the edge) : J FONSON.
Quick and neat delivery.
Dimension : 69mm.
Weight : 139 g.
Metal : bronze.
Hallmark on the edge (mark on the edge) : J FONSON.
Quick and neat delivery.
The support is not for sale.
Stand is not for sale.
_
Count Pierre Ryckmans (Antwerp, November 26, 1891 - Uccle, February 18, 1959) is a senior Belgian civil servant, governor general of the Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi from 1934 to 1946.
He is the son of senator Alphonse Ryckmans, the father-in-law of the deputy and former president of the CNCD-11.11.11 Geneviève Ryckmans-Corin1, the uncle of the sinologist Pierre Ryckmans, known under the name of Simon Leys, and the grandfather father of Walloon MP Hélène Ryckmans.
Family
Pierre Ryckmans was born into a Catholic family from the lower middle class in Antwerp. He is the son of Clémence Van Ryn and Alphonse Ryckmans, lawyer at the Antwerp bar. A member of the Catholic Party, Alphonse Ryckmans entered politics at the local level and was a municipal councilor in Antwerp from 1899 to 1911. He then successively became provincial senator in 1912, co-opted senator from 1921 to 1925 and finally senator of Antwerp from 1925 until his death in 19312.
When he was born, the couple already had five children: Paula, Marie-Magdeleine, Gonzague, Elisabeth and Étienne; Pierre Maria Joseph Cornelius will be baptized on November 27 at the Saint-Jacques3 church.
Schooling
After his studies at the minor seminary of Hoogstraeten4, Pierre Ryckmans continued his secondary studies at the archiepiscopal college of Saint-Jean-Berchmans in Antwerp56.
Once he finished his humanities, he began studying law as well as a bachelor's degree in Thomistic philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain when he was not even 16 years old. In 1913, Ryckmans received his doctorate in law with the highest distinction. He was admitted to the Antwerp bar the same year7.
His contribution to the First World War
In 1914, only a year after his registration with the Antwerp bar, Pierre Ryckmans joined the Yser Front. He joined the training center for auxiliary second lieutenants - infantry (CISLA I) installed in Gaillon (France - Eure) before leaving for Africa and taking part in the Cameroon campaign (1915-1916) in September of the following year, then that of German East Africa (1916-1918). He decided to enlist in the colonial troops following "a deep emotional disappointment, a great lack of interest in the practice of law, a keen concern to ensure his financial autonomy and an intense desire to face more directly the Germans only on the Yser front”8. He is thus one of the troops who occupy Ruanda-Urundi, a territory which will pass from German supervision to that of Belgium by mandate granted during the Versailles conference in 1919.
First departure to Africa
In Africa, Ryckmans first began by supporting French troops in Cameroon.
This expedition was grueling. Indeed, “with his troop companions and porters, he traveled a thousand kilometers on foot and by canoe in very difficult conditions. But he was angry because the Germans had preferred to flee rather than continue the fight. Returning to Léopoldville, he then participated in the eastern campaign and after going up the river he went up to the East African high plateau as far as Tabora where he arrived too late to engage in the fighting (…) »9 . From 1916 to 1918, he was with British troops in German East Africa10. Pierre Ryckmans is a soldier who stands out for his courage and “after the victory of Mahenge, he was mentioned in the order of the day for the courage, zeal and dedication he demonstrated and was named, in September 1918, reserve lieutenant in the 9th line regiment11”.
Ascent within the colonial administration
Once the war ended, Ryckmans entered the territorial administration of the Belgian colony12. In the summer of 1918, Ryckmans joined Urundi and became a first-class territorial administrator for the duration of the occupation. He held this position from June 26, 1918 to September 30, 1919.
In 1919, Ryckmans was successively appointed deputy district commissioner and second and then first class district commissioner. On October 16, 1919, Minister Justin Malfeyt before being appointed13.4 named Ryckmans resident of Urundi. This is a territory which became a residence through the order of April 6, 1917 thanks to which the Royal Commissioner responsible for the occupied territories organized them administratively14. The main mission of the colonial administration was “to assert Belgian influence over the conquered territories”15. He therefore reached the top of the colonial administrative hierarchy16. His residence is located in Kitega which is the administrative center of the Urundi district. In the years following his appointment as resident, Pierre Ryckmans continued to rise through the ranks and was appointed to ever more prestigious positions within the Belgian colonial administration. Thus in 1925, he became vice-resident of Rwanda-Urundi and in 1928 he was appointed district commissioner general and assistant to the government.
He is the son of senator Alphonse Ryckmans, the father-in-law of the deputy and former president of the CNCD-11.11.11 Geneviève Ryckmans-Corin1, the uncle of the sinologist Pierre Ryckmans, known under the name of Simon Leys, and the grandfather father of Walloon MP Hélène Ryckmans.
Family
Pierre Ryckmans was born into a Catholic family from the lower middle class in Antwerp. He is the son of Clémence Van Ryn and Alphonse Ryckmans, lawyer at the Antwerp bar. A member of the Catholic Party, Alphonse Ryckmans entered politics at the local level and was a municipal councilor in Antwerp from 1899 to 1911. He then successively became provincial senator in 1912, co-opted senator from 1921 to 1925 and finally senator of Antwerp from 1925 until his death in 19312.
When he was born, the couple already had five children: Paula, Marie-Magdeleine, Gonzague, Elisabeth and Étienne; Pierre Maria Joseph Cornelius will be baptized on November 27 at the Saint-Jacques3 church.
Schooling
After his studies at the minor seminary of Hoogstraeten4, Pierre Ryckmans continued his secondary studies at the archiepiscopal college of Saint-Jean-Berchmans in Antwerp56.
Once he finished his humanities, he began studying law as well as a bachelor's degree in Thomistic philosophy at the Catholic University of Louvain when he was not even 16 years old. In 1913, Ryckmans received his doctorate in law with the highest distinction. He was admitted to the Antwerp bar the same year7.
His contribution to the First World War
In 1914, only a year after his registration with the Antwerp bar, Pierre Ryckmans joined the Yser Front. He joined the training center for auxiliary second lieutenants - infantry (CISLA I) installed in Gaillon (France - Eure) before leaving for Africa and taking part in the Cameroon campaign (1915-1916) in September of the following year, then that of German East Africa (1916-1918). He decided to enlist in the colonial troops following "a deep emotional disappointment, a great lack of interest in the practice of law, a keen concern to ensure his financial autonomy and an intense desire to face more directly the Germans only on the Yser front”8. He is thus one of the troops who occupy Ruanda-Urundi, a territory which will pass from German supervision to that of Belgium by mandate granted during the Versailles conference in 1919.
First departure to Africa
In Africa, Ryckmans first began by supporting French troops in Cameroon.
This expedition was grueling. Indeed, “with his troop companions and porters, he traveled a thousand kilometers on foot and by canoe in very difficult conditions. But he was angry because the Germans had preferred to flee rather than continue the fight. Returning to Léopoldville, he then participated in the eastern campaign and after going up the river he went up to the East African high plateau as far as Tabora where he arrived too late to engage in the fighting (…) »9 . From 1916 to 1918, he was with British troops in German East Africa10. Pierre Ryckmans is a soldier who stands out for his courage and “after the victory of Mahenge, he was mentioned in the order of the day for the courage, zeal and dedication he demonstrated and was named, in September 1918, reserve lieutenant in the 9th line regiment11”.
Ascent within the colonial administration
Once the war ended, Ryckmans entered the territorial administration of the Belgian colony12. In the summer of 1918, Ryckmans joined Urundi and became a first-class territorial administrator for the duration of the occupation. He held this position from June 26, 1918 to September 30, 1919.
In 1919, Ryckmans was successively appointed deputy district commissioner and second and then first class district commissioner. On October 16, 1919, Minister Justin Malfeyt before being appointed13.4 named Ryckmans resident of Urundi. This is a territory which became a residence through the order of April 6, 1917 thanks to which the Royal Commissioner responsible for the occupied territories organized them administratively14. The main mission of the colonial administration was “to assert Belgian influence over the conquered territories”15. He therefore reached the top of the colonial administrative hierarchy16. His residence is located in Kitega which is the administrative center of the Urundi district. In the years following his appointment as resident, Pierre Ryckmans continued to rise through the ranks and was appointed to ever more prestigious positions within the Belgian colonial administration. Thus in 1925, he became vice-resident of Rwanda-Urundi and in 1928 he was appointed district commissioner general and assistant to the government.
On his return, he planned the publication of his book, Dominate to Serve, in June 1931. The success of his book allowed him to join the Board of Directors of the National Work of Congolese Schools (ENAC).
In 1934, the month of February was marked by a major event: on February 17, King Albert suffered a fatal fall in Marche-Les-Dames. Leopold III thus ascends the throne. Five weeks later, Leopold III asked Count Ryckmans to become his successor as president of the national institute for the agronomic study of the Belgian Congo (INEAC).
The Governor General of the Belgian Congo
Cap of Governor General Pierre Ryckmans19.
On September 14, 1934 (year of the death of King Albert 1st)20, Pierre Ryckmans succeeded Auguste Tilkens21 and was appointed governor general of Congo22 as well as Ruanda-Urundi which was annexed to the territory of Congo under General Tombeur, following the First World War20. It was Leopold III who, after considering entrusting him with the post9, appointed him. He held this position until 1946.
Pierre Ryckmans faced two major problems during his government: the economic crisis of the 1930s and the Second World War (1940 – 1945).
The interwar period
The economic and financial crisis, known as the Great Depression24, is in full swing. However, until 1940, the production and quality of raw materials increased and a slow economic recovery was observed. The latter then allows us to concentrate on other problems concerning the “native”25. Ryckmans was a devoted Catholic and a jurist, expert in colonial law. He was convinced of the good functioning of the Belgian-Congolese government with the collaboration of multinationals and the Catholic Church; however, if he can support Protestant schools and the interest in reducing mining production to increase food production, he never manages to increase the social conditions of the colonial populations, “destined to serve”26.
In 1940, the crisis took precedence over other concerns, forcing Ryckmans to give very materialistic speeches to the Government Council. These can be consulted in the work written by the governor himself, Stages et Jalons.
Second World War
In 1939, war was declared but it was in May 1940 that Belgium was invaded by Germany and the motherland capitulated at the end of the month.
For Ryckmans, despite the peaceful link that links the territory of Congo to neighboring African territories, attacks are imminent27. Two questions arise for Pierre; the first is that of the army census and African assistance (namely that white but especially black personnel can be of great help)27 and the second, that of restructuring (change in the occupation of skills, increase in essential production28) in order to make the Belgian Congo the leading producer of the materials necessary for the Belgian triumph29,30. Its primary goal was “to preserve the autonomy and integrity of the Belgian empire in Africa”26.
Ryckmans31, in War Messages, said he was ready to serve the fight by providing a military effort28 (which was done, despite the Government's reservations, in Italian East Africa32.
Pierre Ryckmans was in contact with the Belgian Government throughout the war. Moreover, the latter sent him, on June 24, 1940, a decree-law promulgated on June 18, 1940, the author of which was Robert de Mûelenaere, legal advisor to the Minister of Colonies, which, in article 2, attributed the exercise of legislative power to the Governor General on condition of renewing the so-called emergency orders every 6 months. He is given exceptional powers by the minister responsible for the colonies Albert de Vleeschauwer. However, the Government does not indicate anything regarding a mobilization of the colonial army which aims to be neutral9.
Finally, in addition to exporting part of the colonial productions to Belgium33, he felt he had to mobilize more. Thus, on January 21, 1941, he signed an economic agreement with Great Britain, ap
In 1934, the month of February was marked by a major event: on February 17, King Albert suffered a fatal fall in Marche-Les-Dames. Leopold III thus ascends the throne. Five weeks later, Leopold III asked Count Ryckmans to become his successor as president of the national institute for the agronomic study of the Belgian Congo (INEAC).
The Governor General of the Belgian Congo
Cap of Governor General Pierre Ryckmans19.
On September 14, 1934 (year of the death of King Albert 1st)20, Pierre Ryckmans succeeded Auguste Tilkens21 and was appointed governor general of Congo22 as well as Ruanda-Urundi which was annexed to the territory of Congo under General Tombeur, following the First World War20. It was Leopold III who, after considering entrusting him with the post9, appointed him. He held this position until 1946.
Pierre Ryckmans faced two major problems during his government: the economic crisis of the 1930s and the Second World War (1940 – 1945).
The interwar period
The economic and financial crisis, known as the Great Depression24, is in full swing. However, until 1940, the production and quality of raw materials increased and a slow economic recovery was observed. The latter then allows us to concentrate on other problems concerning the “native”25. Ryckmans was a devoted Catholic and a jurist, expert in colonial law. He was convinced of the good functioning of the Belgian-Congolese government with the collaboration of multinationals and the Catholic Church; however, if he can support Protestant schools and the interest in reducing mining production to increase food production, he never manages to increase the social conditions of the colonial populations, “destined to serve”26.
In 1940, the crisis took precedence over other concerns, forcing Ryckmans to give very materialistic speeches to the Government Council. These can be consulted in the work written by the governor himself, Stages et Jalons.
Second World War
In 1939, war was declared but it was in May 1940 that Belgium was invaded by Germany and the motherland capitulated at the end of the month.
For Ryckmans, despite the peaceful link that links the territory of Congo to neighboring African territories, attacks are imminent27. Two questions arise for Pierre; the first is that of the army census and African assistance (namely that white but especially black personnel can be of great help)27 and the second, that of restructuring (change in the occupation of skills, increase in essential production28) in order to make the Belgian Congo the leading producer of the materials necessary for the Belgian triumph29,30. Its primary goal was “to preserve the autonomy and integrity of the Belgian empire in Africa”26.
Ryckmans31, in War Messages, said he was ready to serve the fight by providing a military effort28 (which was done, despite the Government's reservations, in Italian East Africa32.
Pierre Ryckmans was in contact with the Belgian Government throughout the war. Moreover, the latter sent him, on June 24, 1940, a decree-law promulgated on June 18, 1940, the author of which was Robert de Mûelenaere, legal advisor to the Minister of Colonies, which, in article 2, attributed the exercise of legislative power to the Governor General on condition of renewing the so-called emergency orders every 6 months. He is given exceptional powers by the minister responsible for the colonies Albert de Vleeschauwer. However, the Government does not indicate anything regarding a mobilization of the colonial army which aims to be neutral9.
Finally, in addition to exporting part of the colonial productions to Belgium33, he felt he had to mobilize more. Thus, on January 21, 1941, he signed an economic agreement with Great Britain, ap