Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the Reverend John D. Freeman, a Baptist Minister, born 1865 in Nova Scotia, Canada and his wife Clara Bell Freeman, born 1865 in Nova Scotia, Canada. William Dakin, a schoolboy, was born in 1896 in Fredricton, New Brunswick, Canada, his siblings were, Ralph, a schoolboy, born 1895 in Ontario, Canada and Joyce, born 1909 in Leicester, in April 1911 the family home was at 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester. William’s parents latterly resided at Stanley Avenue, Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
William attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years Service in the United Kingdom on the 5th August 1914 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Canada, his age as 18 years and 1 month and his trade or calling as school. He gave his home address as 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, the Rev. J. D. Freeman, M.A., D.D., of 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8¼ inches in height, weighed 145 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 31 and 33 inches. His physical development and vision were both described as good. He gave his religion as Baptist. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 5th August 1914 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2100 on the 5/8/14. Posted to the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 5/8/14. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 18/2/15. Killed in action in the field on the 15/5/15. Buried in grave No.21, E. of Shrine, N. Packhorse Farm. Nr. Lindenhoeck. A summary of his service records: Home Service, 5/8/14 – 1/3/15, 209 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 2/3/15 – 15/5/15. 75 days. Total service 284 days. William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by William’s father J. D. Freeman on the 2nd May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by A. E. Sawday J.P., 6, Matlock Street, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, John Dolleric Freeman of 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester. Mother of soldier, Clare Bell Freeman, of 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester. Full blood brothers of soldier, Frank Freeman, age 32 of 217, Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. U.S.A. Ralph Freeman, age 24 of Balliol College, Oxford. Full blood sister of soldier, Joyce Freeman, age 10 of 87, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester.
The War Diary records: 15 May-15 - At 2.00am relief completed. Adjutant accompanied relief, visited all listening posts from 81.L. as they had been somewhat altered. New work and new saps garrisoned by us for 1st time. New sap 20, new work 15. E4.40. We are now right sector of 138th Bde (46th Div) 1st/4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT and 1st/5th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT alternately hold left sector. STAFFORDSHIRE Bde (137th Bde). On our right (S) and on our left (N) NOTTS & DERBY Bde (139th Bde). About 150 yards French wire laid, operations curtailed. Capt A. C. Cooper badly wounded and 4 men brought in, most of them somewhat unarmed. (12.15am 16th May 1915). Quiet day. 2nd Lt M. B. DOUGLAS, his servant and 2 men to ST. OMER for Machine Gun course. Casualties, killed No. 73 Sgt W. RATCLIFFE B Coy was firing over parapet offered needless exposure, 2 through head, No. 2100 L/Cpl N. D. FREEMAN A Coy was firing over parapet in E1.L. through head. Wounded No. 2683 Pte C. M. Taylor D Coy.
On Saturday May 22nd 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “REPORTED DEATH OF LANCE CORPORAL FREEMAN.” – Information has reached Leicester of the death in the trenches from a bullet wound in the head of Lance-Corpl W. Freeman son of the Rev. Dr. Freeman, pastor of Belvoir Street Chapel. The news is not official, and inquiries at the War Office go to show that the intimation has not reached the department. This has to be borne in mind, but there is reason to fear that the fact is as stated. Lance-Corpl Freeman, who was only 18 years of age, was educated at the Wyggeston School, and very popular with all who knew him. The deepest sympathy is felt for Dr. And Mrs. Freeman in their hour of grave anxiety.
On Saturday May 29th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – Death of Lance Corporal Freeman. – The following letter was received by the Rev. Dr. Freeman, pastor of Belvoir Street, Baptist Church, on Saturday:- “British Expeditionary Force, Belgium, May 19th 1915.” “Dear Sir, - It is with the very deepest regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, ‘Billee’ who was killed by a gunshot wound in the head on the early morning of Saturday last, the 15th inst. His loss will be a sad blow to you, but it may be some consolation to know that he was doing his duty splendidly in one of the forward trenches of the line at the time, and that death was instantaneous. He was buried the same evening behind the line in the little cemetery allotted to this battalion, the Rev. Capt. Ashby officiating. In his platoon especially, and in the whole company he will be much missed as an excellent soldier and an untiring worker. In fact he seemed to take no rest at all, and the company is losing one of its best N.C.O.’s. It is sad to think that he will never have the opportunity of taking up the commission for which he had received our Commanding Officer’s recommendation a week or two earlier. Please accept my deepest sympathy and that of the whole Company in the sad loss which you and Mrs. Freeman have sustained. I feel so sorry to think how greatly you will miss him. – Yours very truly, BASIL F. NEWILL, Captain, O.C. A. Coy., 1st 4th Leicester Regiment.” The Rev. J. D. Freeman, Leicester.” Both Dr. and Mrs Freeman have received numerous letters of sympathy upon the death of their youngest son, and the sorrow of his comrades in the field will be fully shared by his old school fellows, with whom he was a great favourite. It will be remembered that he was a frequent prize winner at the Wyggeston School sports.
On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour of former pupils, this records that William attended the school between the years 1907 and 1914.