Page 23 - WW1 - 1917

Redditch Local History Society Remembering Redditch Residents & WW1

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 17 February
1917

Headless Cross Soldier Killed – News has been received by the parents of Private
W. H. Freeman of Headless Cross, that he was killed in action at the end of January. He was
in the Worcestershire Regiment and was 22 years of age.

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(On Ancestry site, Military records William Henry Freeman, (27275), 9 Battalion,
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Worcestershire Regiment born and enlisted in Redditch, killed in action, 25 January 1917,
Mesopotamia. Buried Amara War Cemetery, Iraq aged 23.)
Remembered on St Luke’s war memorial, Headless Cross, Redditch.
(On 1911 census William Henry Freeman aged 16, Fish Hook Filer, lived with his parents Frank and Bertha and
siblings at 182 Evesham Road, Headless Cross.)

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The Bromsgrove, Droitwich and Redditch Messenger – Saturday 17 February
1917

Crabbs Cross Soldier Honoured – For conspicuous bravery on the battlefield in
France, Sergeant William Fairweather has been awarded the William Medal. His superior
officers were wounded, and he took charge of the men, and was successful, despite several
slight wounds, in holding the advanced position until help arrived. Later a German grenade
burst and badly injured his left eye. He is in the Royal Engineers.

© RLHS 2014 Page: 23