Name
Henry William Free
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/07/1915
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
S/6288
Rifle Brigade
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 46 - 48 and 50.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial, Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Bishop's Stortford
Pre War
Henry
William Free was born in Bishop's Stortford in 1891. On the 1901 Census he, and
his brother Harold and sister Gladys, were living with their aunt and uncle
Thomas and Emily Gunn at Back Row, Bishop's Stortford. On 1911 Census he was
again with them, said to be a visitor at 16 Oak Street, Bishop's Stortford, when
his occupation was said to be a Gunner with the Royal Horse Artillery. A
William Edwin Free (his father) age 44 was also visiting.
Wartime Service
In
1911 he was already in the army according to the Census, but his service record
shows he joined the Royal Garrison Artillery in 1913 under service no. 59289 at
Stratford. He had a list of misconducts,
including foul language, being improperly dressed and absent without leave and
was subject to court martial. His Service record states his military character was
'very bad' and shows he was discharged in April 1914 and went to live with his
father who was living in Camberwell at the time. He obviously re-enlisted at
the outbreak of war and served in France from 21 May 1915
Additional Information
N.B. Is listed as 'Harry' on some records. His father William received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £4 18s 11d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
