James Freeman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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James Freeman was born in 1876 the son of Isaac a whip maker and Elizabeth (Jessie) Freeman née Shipman of Regent Hill, Carlton Road, Nottingham. His father was born in 1853 at Nottingham his mother Elizabeth in 1854 in Nottingham. They were married in 1872 in Radford and went on to have the following children, Harry b.1874, James b.1876, Albert b.1882, Isaac b.1886 and Samuel b.1890. Isaac died in 1902 at Nottingham aged 50. James married Isabella Gillott at St Phillips Church Nottingham on 10th December 1899. In 1911 James lived with his mother, a lace clipper, and eighty year old grandmother at 7 Abinger Street, Sneinton.
James Freeman enlisted on 4th September 1914 stating he had previously had military service in the 4th Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, serving for six years prior to his discharge in 1903, (he had in fact previously enlisted on 27th April 1894 at Nottingham at the age of 19 years and 7 months, and had served with the Robin Hood Rifles). He was posted to the Sherwood Foresters and on 10th July 1915 was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. He landed in France on 13th July 1915. He was wounded in action at Le Harve on 11th August 1915 and invalided out of the Army due to severe mental health issues on 17th December 1915 ( a medical board gave the reason as recurrent mania). He was an inmate at the Nottingham City Lunatic Asylum when he died on 20th May 1917 and was buried with full military honours on 24th May 1917 In the General Cemetery. Although James was “laid to rest in the Soldiers' Corner at the General Cemetery” and given a military funeral, he is not recorded as a casualty by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Nottingham Daily Express May 25th 1917: “SIX SOLDIER MOURNERS. “Impressive Rites at Funeral in Nottm. Yesterday. “Impressive military rites were associated with the funeral yesterday [24th May 1917] in Nottingham of Corporal James Freeman, of Regent-hill, Carlton-road whose remains were laid to rest in the Soldiers' Corner at the General Cemetery. The deceased died in hospital, and there were half a dozen soldier relatives amongst the mourners, including some who had been discharged, having already done their bit. The body was borne from Carlton-road to the cemetery on a gun-carriage provided by the local detachment of the Army Service Corps. A band, drums, firing party, and bearers in command of Lieutenant Davies, were provided by the 4th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment, which is in training at a local camp. “The Rev. E. A. Simms conducted the service, and after three volleys had been fired and the “Last Post” sounded, the band played “Peace, perfect peace.” Many people, including soldiers, gathered at the grave-side.” Article courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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