Soldier Arie Koomans (1789-1812)

Pieter Koomans (1750-1802) of Strijen, Holland, had eight children with his first wive, Jannigje Bezemer (±1760-1798), but just two them - Arie and Jannigje - seem to have survived to adulthood. 

Strijen

Pieter's eldest surviving son, Arie Koomans, was born on April 2, 1789, and baptised in Strijen on the 5th. His next children, daughters Jannigje and Maria, were born subsequently in 1790 and 1792. Three little sons named Andreas all died young. Pieter's first wife, Jannigje Bezemer, died in May 1798. With his second wife, Adriana Moerkerken (1773-1850), Pieter had had one son named Andreas. After just 2 years of marriage with his second wife, Pieter Koomans died in May 1802, leaving his son Arie an orphan at age 13. Arie's stepmother was remarried in 1803 to Bernardus Bremken (1762-1808) and next in 1810 to Pieter Berrevoets (1775-1861).

In early 1795, intervention by French revolutionary forces had led to the downfall of the old Dutch Republic. The Dutch departments were incorporated in the French Empire by decree on 9 July, 1810. In the summer of 1812, before the invasion of Russia, Napoleon assembled new troops from all over Western Europe for his Grande Armée.
Arie Koomans was send to France, and incorporated into the 9th artillery regiment¹. The artillery was the part of Napoleon's army that fired its cannons. Arie was taken to a hospital on October 12, 1812. He died on October 28 in Douai, France, aged 23. His death was registered in Strijen on April 9, 1813.

Arie's surviving sister Jannigje was married, had several children, and died in 1831 in Hardinxveld. Their half-brother Andreas (1800-1842) married, moved to Delft, Holland, and had descendants, too. Step-brother Hendrik Bremken (1803-1865) and step-sister Cornelia Bervoets (1818-1906) were both married, too.

Note 1: Arie's army number was 2728.

Sources: Archieven.nl, WieWasWie.nl.