23 November 1917
FREEMAN – Killed in action, Nov. 5th, Corporal B. Freeman, Canadian Regiment, son [husband] of Mrs. Ben Freeman, of Skipton Road, Farnhill.
23 November 1917
FARNHILL
LANCE-CORPORAL B. FREEMAN KILLED IN ACTION
Mrs. Ben Freeman of Skipton Road, Farnill, received the sad news on Saturday last that her husband, Lance-Corpl. B. Freeman, of the Canadian Regiment, had been killed in action on Nov. 5th. Corpl. B.H. Freeman enlisted in Canada two yeas ago, and went to France in May of this year. He was married shortly before proceeding to the front. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs. Freeman. Before her marriage Mrs. Freeman (Miss Maggie Hartley) until recently acted as post-woman for Kildwick and Farnhill. She is also a member of the Kildwick church choir and of the local Dramatic Society. Mrs. Freeman received the following, letter from Company Sergeant Major F. Williams, ‘A’ Co., Canadian Battalion :– “Dear Mrs. Freeman – It grieved me to have to write regarding the death of your husband, Lance-Corpl. B. Freeman, who was killed in action on the evening of the 5th. Ben was in my company and was always a very fine fellow, popular with everyone, officers, N.C.O.’s and men. I cannot find words to express to you the deepest sympathy of all in your sad bereavement. He is a great loss to the regiment, and will be mourned by us all. There was nothing we could do for him, as his death was instantaneous, caused by shell fire. I was with him when the unfortunate affair occurred. You will be notified by our senior officers regarding his burial place. Once again kindly accept our very deepest sympathy – officers, N.C.O.’s and men of the regiment.”
30 November 1917
SKIPTON
LANCE-CORPORAL B. FREEMAN
The above is a portrait of Lance-Corporal B. Freeman, of the Canadian Regiment, whose death in action was reported last week. He was the husband of Mrs. Freeman, of Skipton Road, Farnhill. The photograph was taken in Canada when the deceased was a sergeant. On the way over all the N.C.O.’s were made privates, but since then Lance-Corporal Freeman has received two stripes.
15 February 1918
CROSSHILLS
MEMORIAL SERVICE – On Sunday evening last a memorial service was conducted in the Wesleyan Church by Rev. Thomas Dargue (superintendent minister). Special hymns were sung, and the anthem ‘What are these?’ was given by the choir, under the leadership of Miss Thornton, of Sutton. The opening hymn was ‘Give me the wings of faith to rise.’ Prior to the sermon, Mr. Dargue referred to the trials of life which came to the human family, but that which struck hardest, he remarked, was that which took men from their homes and family. Four young men who had gone through their Sunday-school had passed from them. Private Benjamin Freeman, of the Canadian Regiment, was killed on November 5th; Private G. Inskip, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was killed on November 27th; Private Arthur Happs, of the Durham Light Infantry, had been missing since April 21st, all hope of his being alive has gone. Private Percy Happs, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, who had been missing since the 26th of April, only four days after his brother, and of whom special enquiries had been made through their chief chaplain, who gave little hope of his being taken prisoner, and the fears entertained of his death were probably true. He offered his sympathy and hoped that consolation might be found in knowing that they died bravely for the good of the world. Mr. Dargue also referred to the good characters of the deceased, and expressed the sympathy of the church with the parents and those who had suffered loss in the passing of these four young men. Mr. Dargue’s discourse was based upon the words taken from the 21st chapter of Revelation, 23rd verse, “And the lamb is the light thereof.” Often, he remarked, he had asked why the innocent suffered with the guilty, and why did not something happen to the men who had brought this calamity upon them, which had been the cause of so many lives being lost? In the city where our loved ones in Christ had gone, the mystery was made clear and straight, for the city was God illuminated. He was the light, and the light gave full knowledge to those who had passed into the homeland. The service closed with the hymn ‘For ever with the Lord.’
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