10 Facts About Bram Stemerdink

Abraham "Bram" Stemerdink was born on 6 March 1936 and is a retired Dutch politician of the Labour Party and army officer.

Bram Stemerdink was wounded in action after losing an eye from an explosion during a training exercise, after his recovery he studied law at the Leiden University and he subsequently returned to active service a military lawyer and judge for the military justice system of the Royal Netherlands Army.

Bram Stemerdink served on the Provincial-Council of North Holland from June 1970 until August 1971 and served on the Municipal Council of 's-Hertogenbosch from 1 September 1970 until 11 May 1973.

Bram Stemerdink became a Member of the House of Representatives after the resignation of Joan Willems, taking office on 25 August 1970 serving as a frontbencher chairing the special parliamentary committee for Military Justice Reform and spokesperson for Defence and Veterans' affairs.

Bram Stemerdink was appointed as Minister of Defence following the appointment of Henk Vredeling as the next European Commissioner from the Netherlands, taking office on 1 January 1977.

In October 1993 Bram Stemerdink announced his retirement from national politics and that he wouldn't stand for the election of 1994 and continued to serve until the end of the parliamentary term on 17 May 1994.

Bram Stemerdink was initially a captain in the Army, but lost an eye in a military exercise, after which he studied law in Leiden.

Bram Stemerdink was an activist for the preservation of the old parliament hall.

Bram Stemerdink has been a respected radio commentator for many years.

Bram Stemerdink is chairman of the foundation National War and Resistance in Overloon.