Name
Alfred Elijah Freeman
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
16773
Grenadier Guards
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
The National Roll of the Great War noted that Alfred Freeman volunteered in August 1914 and indicated that he had previously served as a regular soldier, and was recalled to service from the Reserve at the outbreak of War. His Medal Roll indicated that he arrived in France on 6th October 1914, serving with the Grenadier Guards.
The National Roll of the Great War recorded that he served during the Retreat from Mons, and at the First Battle of Ypres in 1914, then at Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, where the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine recorded that he was wounded (April 1915). He returned to duty and fought on the Somme in 1916, and at Arras and Cambrai in 1917. He was demobilised in December 1919.
Alfred was one of seven children (five sons and two daughters) born to Elijah and Clara Freeman of 6 Garden Road, Abbots Langley. Elijah Freeman worked as a Stoker for a Stationary Steam Engine at the time of the 1911 Census. At the same time Alfred worker as a Carter for Coal, and at some time between 1911 and 1914 became a regular soldier.
Alfred survived the War. His brothers Christopher and Frederick also served and survived the War, however Frederick was wounded on 31st July 1917 during the Hertfordshire’s fateful attack on the Langemark Line, to the north of Ypres. He spent two years in hospital and was Discharged Disabled.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
