Item 4/4/1/1 - 1846034 Bl. Charles Houben: Life: Military Releasee and Passport Document.

1846034 Bl. Charles Houben - Life:- .photocopy of a document titled Passport (in 2 parts) 3w333, which is, in fact, the document issued to John Andrew Houben on 10 March, 1845 as his final release from army conscription. The title, "Passport", may be significant. Whilst it certifies that John Andrew Houben was now free of all military obligations, it also requsts all civil and miitary authorities to allow John Andrew Houben "free and unhindered passage, and to help and assist him, if necessary". He arrived at the Passionist Monastery of Ere in Belgium on 5 November, 1845 and was clothed as a novice on 1 December, 1845, so this document was most probably the passport used for his travel to Ere and elsewhere. It also contains a detailed description of him as at the time of issue, i.e., 10 March, 1845, as follows: "tall 1 ell, 7 palms and 1 inch; long face, covered forehead, black eyes, moderate nose, thick mouth, dimpled chin, brown hair, brown eyebrows, no further distingishing marks" (see document titled, " Explalatory Remarks" by Joop Bekkers, Leigraaf 146: 6651 GJ Druten, Holland, who suplied a translation of the passport documnet - which also see - for an explanation of John Andrew's hight details: in essence from 163 to 172 entimetres, i,e. from 5ft 5 inches to 5ft 8 inches).