Pte 57925 Walter Freeman

• Age: 20
• From: Cambridge
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• D.O.W Monday 9th April 1917
• Commemorated at: Bucquoy Rd Cem Ficheux
  Panel Ref: I.A.13

Walter Freeman was born on 27th March 1897 in Cambridge and was the son of Walter and Frances Maria (nee Kite) Freeman who were married in 1884 in Cambridge.

The 1901 Census shows the family are living at 7 Warkworth Street, Cambridge.

Walter is shown as aged 4. His father, Walter, is the head of the household, born in Linton, Cambridgeshire in 1851 he is a furniture dealer and upholsterer., whilst his mother Frances M. was born in Worcestershire in 1854. He has 8 siblings recorded all born in Cambridgeshire; Herbert b.1877 and a furniture salesman, Ellen b.1879 and an upholsterer, Elizabeth b.1882, James b.1886 apprentice to furniture trade, Emily b.1887, Marshall b.1889, Amy b.1893 and Rose b. 1894. There is also a visitor recorded. 

In 1904 Walter was admitted to Brunswick Boys School, Cambridge.  

By 1911 the family have moved to "The Simes", 23 Hope Street, Cambridge.

Walter is now 14 years of age and is listed as being at School. Father Walter is aged 60 a house furnisher and upholsterer, and his wife Francis Maria is 57, they have been married for 26 years and have 6 children. Of his siblings; Ellen 32 is present now married to Charles Reed 27  who is also living at the address, Elizabeth 29 and James 25  are both assisting in their father's business, Rose 17 is a student. Also present is a grandson Victor Charles Freeman born in 1909 at Saffron Walden, Essex.    

He enlisted in Cambridge and originally served as 571, London Divisional Cyclist Company. Following a transfer he was serving in the 18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 57925 when he died of wounds on the 09^th April 1917 aged 20.  

Arras 09^th April 1917

Details of the circumstances the 18^th Battalion had to contend with are illustrated below:

The battalion formed the left assaulting battalion of the brigade, the 2^nd Wiltshire Regiment being on the right, the 19^th Manchester Regiment being in support and 2^nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment furnishing “moppers -up”  for the two assaulting battalions. The brigade advance was timed to begin at ---- hour after “Zero”, suited to conform with the movements of 56^th Division and other divisions on our left further north (near Arras). This battalion’s objective was the front-line system Lion Lane on the left (exclusive) to Panther Lane on right (exclusive). This sector included the strongpoint known as “The Egg”.

The brigade advanced at prearranged time, i.e., 11.38 a.m, from position of assembly trenches south of Neuville Vitasse to German front line. This necessitated an advance across the open of at least 2,000 yards. This area up to Neuville Vitasse- Henin road was crossed in artillery formation; after this, owing to machine-gun fire and considerable resistance from German posts forward in the sunken roads, it was found necessary to deploy. During the whole movement across the open the advancing columns had been under considerable artillery fire from guns of all calibres. On gaining the position immediately in front of German line it was found that the wire was practically uncut; this wire formed two strong belts in front of German trenches. Two small gaps were eventually discovered and Second-Lieut H.F.Merry gallantly led a bombing party through them, but his three remaining men were killed as they reached the German trenches.

From the moment the battalion was “held up” in front of German wire Capt. R. W. Jones, the senior company commander on the spot, at once began the work of consolidating in front of German wire. The battalion held on in this position for the remainder of the day, until relieved by the 16^th Manchester Regiment about 3 a.m. on the 10^th of April, all the time under intense machine-gun and rifle fire.

Between 9th-10th April, 1917, the 18th King's lost 2 officers 2nd Lt. F. Ashcroft and 2nd Lt. H.G. Ewing and 59 other ranks killed. 8 other officers were wounded.  

Walter now rests at  Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.  

In November 1916, the village of Ficheux was behind the German front line, but by April 1917, the German withdrawal had taken the line considerably east of the village and in April and May, the VII Corps Main Dressing Station was posted near for the Battles of Arras. It was followed by the 20th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations, which remained at Boisleux-au-Mont until March 1918, and continued to use the Bucquoy Road Cemetery begun by the field ambulances. From early April to early August 1918 the cemetery was not used but in September and October, the 22nd, 30th and 33rd Casualty Clearing Stations came to Boisleux-au-Mont and extended it. By the date of the Armistice, it contained 1,166 burials but was greatly increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields and from small cemeteries in the neighbourhood. 

The cemetery now contains 1,901 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 168 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to 23 casualties known or believed to be buried among them. Other special memorials commemorate 21 casualties buried by their comrades in Henin-sur-Cojeul German Cemetery, whose graves could not be found on concentration.

The cemetery was used again in May 1940 for the burial of troops killed during the German advance. There are 136 burials and commemorations of the Second World War; 26 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate 39 soldiers whose graves in the cemetery could not be specifically located.

His father, Walter, received both a pension £3.13 shillings authorised on 14th August 1917  and a War Gratuity of £3. 10 shillings authorised on 29th October 1919 in respect of Walter's service. 

His mother died on 11th January 1925 aged 71 and his father died on 04th January 1941 aged 90. Both rest at Mill Road Cemetery 

We currently have no further information on Walter Freeman, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.