St. Alban's Churchyard Windy Nook
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Winters Freeman was born March 20th 1890 at Heworth, near Gateshead, County Durham, the eldest of 2 sons born to coal miner Samuel Freeman born 1868 at Bronsgrove, Worcestershire and Sarah Ellen Winters native of Gateshead born 1871. The couple were married at Holy Trinity Church, Gateshead, June 26th 1889 and were living at 140, Whitehall Lane, Heworth when William was born. His father worked as a coal mine deputy in 1901 whilst the family were living at Union Street. By the time William’s brother Horace was born they had moved to Musgrave House, Windy Nook, Gateshead. William’s father was now employed as a back overman, whilst he was a shipping clerk for an engineering manufacturer, he was married in 1915 to Ethel Ridley.
There is not a full record of William Winters Freeman’s military service during WW1 other than he served with the 11th Battalion Durham Light Infantry beginning his service as Private 19106 disembarking in France, August 25th 1915 and rose through the ranks to Company Sergeant Major.
The 11th DLI was the 20th Division Pioneer Battalion due to the amount of miners in its ranks. During 1915 they were used to work behind the lines repairing roads and draining trenches. In 1916 on the Somme the 11th Battalion often worked at night repairing old trenches and digging new ones. When required they fought as infantrymen and in September 1916 captured the ruins of Guillemont before another winter working in the trenches followed by the Battle of Cambrai which concluded November 30th 1917 after the British tank and infantry attack at Cambrai had drawn to a halt.
April 2nd 1917 Company Sergeant Major Freeman had been discharged in order to accept a commission and served then as 2nd Lieutenant. 2nd Lieutenant William Winters Freeman Durham Light Infantry was killed in action November 30th 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai, France. His body was buried on the battlefield, map reference, Map 57 c W.4.b.8.9. along with a Private Brinn SWB and an unknown Scottish soldier. After Armistice, his and the other bodies was exhumed by the 69th Labour Coy, he was reburied with all honour and reverence at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, Dept. Nord, France, grave IV. C. 6. At the time of his demise in 1917 he was 27 years old.
His widow Ethel received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 1, Major Terrace, Holly Hill, Felling, Gateshead, County Durham. In his will William left all money and possessions to his wife, she was awarded the sum of 119 pounds 3 shillings 2 pence, after probate, September 21st 1917.
Samuel Freeman died April 17th 1929 aged 60 years, his wife Sarah Ellen Freeman nee Winters aged 60 years died January 16th 1932. The family gravestone at St. Albans Churchyard, Windy Nook also bears a reference to William and reads, “ also our dear son 2nd Lieutenant William Winters Freeman killed in action in France Nov. 30th 1917 aged 27 years”. William’s brother Horace died aged 70 years in the district of Gateshead in 1977, details of his wife Ethel unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Winters Freeman is remembered at Heworth on H92.03 and at Windy Nook on W95.01 W95.02 and W95.06
