 |
 |
|
|
1887 Aug 8 born South Africa
1887 Nov 6. baptised in the NG Church, Pearston
Served in Boer War on Republican side, 9 months with Kritzinger's Commando.
Divinity student at Victoria College, Stellenbosch. School master at Michaelhouse, Balgowan in Natal. According to the school history Dutch was introduced in 1908 as the main foreign language, with VAN EYSSEN in charge as the first South African graduate at Michaelhouse.
1914 Nov 16. He served as a Lieutenant on the Staff of Southern Force in the campaign in German South West Africa between 16 November 1914 and 3 June 1915, then joined the Royal Flying Corps.
1915 Jun 19 Married (1) Hester Dorothea STRYDOM in the NG Church, Oudtshoorn on 19 June 1915 (and divorced on 1 June 1921)
1916 Aug 12 Sails on RMS "Kenilworth Castle" to UK to go to Cadet School. His medical in Capetown notes that he had a bullet wound to right thigh.
1916 Sep 1. Louis Martin Van Eyssen. To be 2nd Lt in RFC
He flew with 10 Squadron, 6th Brigade and served in France and Belgium from 19 May 1917 to 1918, reaching the rank of Flight Commander. He was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Air Force Cross.
1917 Apr 30. Appointed RFC as 2nd Lt. L. M. Van Eyssen, Spec. Res.
1919 Jun 3. Lt. (A./Capt.) Louis Martin Van Eyssen. Awarded AFC
1920 Dec 15 His only child was born in Cleveleys in Lancashire. Frederick Louis VAN EYSSEN in UK, and died 5 Jan 2003 in UK. He retired as an Executive Officer (War Pensions) c. 1985 and lived at 5 Cornwall Avenue, Bispham, Blackpool. He died of an Intra Cerebral Haemorrhage at Clifton Hospital, Lytham on 5 January 2003. Unmarried.
1920 Jan he lived for a time in Yorkshire, managing a restaurant in Ilkley
1920 Dec 29 Joined the ADRIC with no 1389
1921 Feb 2. Wounded at Clonfin Ambush. He was first awarded £1500 compensation, and on appeal this was raised by Mr Justice Gordon at Longford Assizes to £3500
1921 Feb 28. Wounded again while on sentry duty at Ballinalee Admitted Stevens Hospital wounded
1921 Jun 1. divorced. She sued first for restitution of conjugal rights, then for divorce, both in South Africa.
1921 Aug 5. Dismissed ADRIC as unfit
1921 Aug 6. Pension paid for 12 months
1921 Aug 12. Leaves UK for South Africa
1925 Feb 20. Leaves UK for South Africa
He returned to South Africa and worked as a Quarry Supervisor for the Pretoria Portland Cement Company.
1947/48 He acquired a property known as "Vastfontein" at Pyramids in the Pretoria District.
1954 Oct 27. He died of heart failure in the Victoria Hospital in Plein Street, Johannesburg, leaving his estate to a friend, Mrs. Esperance Gwendoline Catharine Helena Methven (nee Maynier).