Arthur Edward Freeman

A Driver with 1/1st Suffolk Battery, 3rd East Anglian (Howitzer) Brigade, Arthur died on 22nd of May 1916 at the age of 24.

Arthur was born at Lowestoft on 25 May 1892, a son of John Henry and Mary Ann Freeman. He was baptise at Saint Margaret's Church, Lowestoft, on 17 July 1892, and his family lived at 12 Jacobs Street. In 1901 his family lived at 6 Jacobs Street, and this would be Arthur's home for the rest of his life. In 1911 Arthur worked as a shop assistant (broker). 

Arthur was working as a shop assistant for S. Timms (sic) when he volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft on 9 September 1914. He joined the Royal Field Artillery, service number 988, and was posted to the 1/1st Suffolk Battery, 1/3rd East Anglian (Howitzer) Brigade.  

Arthur’s unit embarked at Southampton on 16 November 1915 and disembarked at Havre the next day. On 1 February 1916 they embarked at Marseilles and disembarked at Alexandria on 8 February 1916.

On 16 April 1916 Arthur was admitted to 3 East Anglian Filed Ambulance, with a fever (Pyrexia of unknown origin) and he was discharged to his unit on 19 April 1916. Arthur contracted dysentery and was admitted to 121 Indian Field Ambulance on 14 May 1916. He was transferred to 18 Stationary Hospital, at Suez, where he died on 22 May 1916. 

Arthur’s personal effects were sent to his mother and comprised: identity disc, two bead necklaces, twelve photographs, purse, two coins, a letter, and a list of addresses. Later his mother wrote to the War Department requesting that his ‘gold pin’ be returned to her as well ‘if it could be obtained.’