Sidney Wilfred Freeman

He attested on 11/12/1915 at Nottingham, but was not mobilised until 17/02/1916 at Derby. On 22/02/1916 he was posted to 3rd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, but on 26/08/1916 he was transferred to 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. The battalion arrived in France on 23/07/1916. On 04/05/1917 he was taken to 11th Field Ambulance with an incised wound to the left foot, but was discharged on 18/05/1917. On 18/08/1917 he was taken to 109th Field Ambulance with gunshot wounds to the legs. He was sent on to 13th General Stationary Hospital at Boulogne. and then on the same day he was sent home on the hospital ship "St. Denis." He was then taken by hospital train to the East Leeds Hospital. He recovered and returned to France on 18/01/1918 and was posted to 1st Battalion. The battalion was in the path of the great German offensive, Operation Michael, launched on 21/03/1918. The battalion suffered heavy losses and were forced back. Pte. Freeman was killed in action on that day and buried in Essigny le Grand German Military Cemetery. Unfortunately the grave was lost, but his name was later commemorated on a special memorial at Grand Seraucourt British Cemetery, when smaller cemeteries were brought to that site.

In memoriam published 21st March 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “FREEMAN. – Missing on the 21st March, 1918, then reported killed, Pte. S. W. Freeman, of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Ever in our thoughts. – From his loving mother, father, sister, and brothers, and Jack and Maude (in Canada).” Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918