| Majoor A E. N. B. Otken of the Dutch East Indies forces. Otken was a Ridder der 4e Klasse, Militaire Willemsorde or Knight 4th Class of the Military Order of William. He wears a miniature of the 4th class medal in the button hole of his tunic which can be seen in the detail above right. At the time the photograph was taken Otken seems to have held the rank of lieutenant as indicated by the two stars on his collar. The order was given for the most conspicuous acts of bravery, leadership and extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. I have been unable to find any information regarding the circumstances of Otken's award or subsequent military career. On the reverse below someone has mistranslated Otken's name as Otmer. Otken has inscribed the photograph to "Fritz" Carte de Visite Woodbury & Page - Photographer Batavia, Java, Dutch East Indies 17 April, 1878 |
