Daniel Freeman
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Daniel Freeman was born 1890 in Disington, near Workington, Cumberland, one of 9 surviving children, 3 boys, 6 girls, 3 deceased (gender unknown) born to William James Freeman born September 18th 1867, New Bradell, Buckinghamshire and Mary Jane Kelly born in Harrington, Cumberland, December 16th 1866. The couple were married December 22nd 1888 in the district of Whitehaven and two years later were living at Main Street, Disington with their first born, Daniel, one year of age. William James worked as a coal miner however the family migrated north and by 1901 were living at 5 William Street, Kimblesworth, Witton Gilbert, Durham, where he continued to work as a coal miner-hewer. At the age of 22, Daniel was working as a putter, along with his brothers and his father, the family now living at 29, Thomas Street, Craghead.
Daniel Freeman was married in the parish of Chester-le-Street, June 1913 to Emma Wilby a native of Stanley, born May 13th 1893. Their son Frederick A. Freeman was born later that year. Daniel enlisted in Newcastle-upon-Tyne the following year to the call for volunteers and was assigned as Private 17718 to the 5th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. After initial training in Ireland in April 1916 the battalion was moved to Basingstoke on the English mainland for final preparations before departing from Liverpool, July 7th 1916. They disembarked one month later, August 7th 1915 at Sulva Bay on the Gallipoli peninsular as part of the August Offensive, a final attempt to break the deadlock of the Battle of Gallipoli. Despite meeting only light opposition the landing was mismanaged and quickly reached stalemate.
Private 17718 Daniel Freeman was reported missing, presumed dead on or after August 15th 1915, eight days after his arrival. The C.W.G.C. have taken this as the official date of his death, he was 25 years old. His sacrifice is recorded on the Helles Memorial near Sedd el Bahr, Turkey. It commemorates the 20,885 Commonwealth servicemen who died during the whole Gallipoli Campaign and have no known grave. The memorial is an obelisk over 30 metres high and stands on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsular, it can be seen by shipping passing through the Dardanelles.
His widow Emma received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and Frederick along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Tragedy was to strike again in the 3rd quarter of 1915 when their son Frederick died age approximately 2 years.
Emma Freeman nee Wilby did not remarry, she died, November 27th 1985. Daniel’s father William James Freeman died November 8th 1941 followed by his mother Mary Jane Freeman nee Kelly in about 1943, all in Stanley County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Daniel Freeman is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
