Main CPGW Record
Surname: FREEMAN
Forename(s): Thomas
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 266190
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2/7th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 30
Date of Death: 1918-07-08
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: LXVII. F. 32.
CWGC Cemetery: ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Thomas Freeman was the son of George and Mary Freeman (née – ) George was born at Appleby, Westmorland and Mary at Gargrave, Yorkshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 1, York Place, Waller Hill - Thomas Freeman, aged 3 years, born Skipton, son of George and Mary Freeman.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 27, Hallams Yard - Tom Freeman, aged 13 years, born Skipton, son of George and Mary Freeman.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 14, Montgomery Street - Thomas Freeman, aged 23 years, born Skipton, son of George and Mary Freeman.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Thomas Freeman, 266190, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Thomas Freeman, 266190, 2/7 W. Rid. R. Died 8.7.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Thomas Freeman, 266190, 2/7th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 8.7.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Mary. £29 15s. 6d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) for Thomas not found.
The 2/7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) was reduced to a training cadre on the 18 June 1918 and returned to England. The cadre was absorbed by the newly formed 29th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. The 29th Bn D.L.I. was sent to France and landed at Boulogne on the 3 July 1918, joining the 14th (Light) Division.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
FREEMAN, Thomas, aged 30, West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Freeman of Skipton, died of pneumonia July 8, 1918.
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Private Thomas FREEMAN
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Etaples Military Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Etaples Military Cemetery
CWGC Headstone - personal inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
19 July 1918
FREEMAN – Died from pneumonia in France, July 8th, Private Thomas Freeman, West Riding Regiment, son of George and Mary Freeman, of Skipton, aged 30 years.
04 July 1919
FREEMAN – In loving memory of Private Thomas Freeman, W.R.R., who died of pneumonia in France July 8th, 1918, aged 30.
Mother cease your weeping, Angels round me smile,
We are only parted for a little while;
Mother, I am happy, though ‘twas hard to part;
Still my spirit lingers near your aching heart;
So sad, but so true, we cannot tell why
The best are the first that are called to die.
Some day, some time, we’ll understand
When we meet in the better land.
From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers, 19 Devonshire Place, Skipton.
09 July 1920
FREEMAN – In loving memory of Pte. Thomas Freeman, Duke of Wellington’s W.R.R., who died from pneumonia in France July 8th, 1918, aged 30 years.
Mother, cease your weeping, angels round me smile,
For we are only parted for a little while.
Father, I am happy, though ‘twas hard to part,
Still my spirit lingers near your aching heart.
A soldier’s grave is a touching thing,
Where loving hands no flowers can bring;
But God in His most loving care,
Will guard our dear boy sleeping there.
The midnight star shines on the grave
Of one we loved but could not save.
We have lost, Heaven hath gained,
One of the best the world contained.
From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brothers, 19 Devonshire Place, Skipton.
08 July 1921
FREEMAN – In loving memory of Pte. Thomas Freeman, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regt., died on active service, July 8th, 1918, in his 30th year.
In a far and foreign graveyard,
Where trees and leaves do wave,
Lies our loving son and brother,
In a far and lonesome grave.
Oft-times we speak of him by name,
His voice we do recall,
There is nothing left to answer
But his photo on the wall.
Dear son, our love can never be told,
We miss you more as the days grow old;
But unknown to the world you stand by my side
And whisper “Dear mother, death cannot divide.”
From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother, 19 Devonshire Place, Skipton.
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