On Monday 16 June from 10:45 to 11:30, a public commemoration will be held at the Thomsonplein monument in The Hague to honour Major L.W.J.K. Thomson, the first soldier in history to fall during an international peacekeeping mission. Speakers will include H.E.Mr. Artur Kuko, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania, Mr. Peter Kievoet, Director of International Affairs at the Hague Municipality, Mrs. Caroline van der Plas, Member of Parliamentand and Lt. Colonel J. Schouten, Representative of the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The ceremony marks the legacy of a man whose life bridged military service, politics, and international diplomacy.
The peace mission to Albania
In 1914, the Netherlands contributed officers to help establish order in the newly independent state of Albania. Major Thomson was appointed to lead this international gendarmerie mission. Upon arrival, his leadership was met with respect, but the situation on the ground was unstable. On 15 June 1914, while overseeing operations in the port city of Durrës, Thomson was fatally struck by a bullet.
His death marked a historic first: never before had a soldier lost his life during a peacekeeping operation. It occurred just weeks before the outbreak of World War I.
A life of service to country and city
Lodewijk Willem Johan Karel Thomson (1869–1914) served with distinction in both military and political spheres. He began his career in the Dutch army, later participating in campaigns in the Dutch East Indies and South Africa. His courage earned him the Military Order of William. Beyond the battlefield, he was a reform-minded officer who advocated for transparency and modernisation within the armed forces.
Thomson’s civic commitment was equally significant. He was a member of the House of Representatives for the Liberal Union and served as a city councillor in The Hague. His political work was driven by a sense of public duty that mirrored his military values: responsibility, structure, and service.
Open commemoration on 16 June
Members of the press and public are allowed to attend the ceremony on Monday 16 June from 10:45 to 11:30 at Thomsonplein, The Hague. The event is a moment to reflect on the past, honour those who served for peace, and highlight The Hague’s enduring international mission.