Name

David Freeburn.

Description

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate relating to Private David Freeburn.

Life Story

Name: David Freeburn.

Service Number: 4106.

Rank: Private.

Battalion: 2nd Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Born: Portadown, County Armagh.

Died: 25th May 1915.

Address: 52 Palmer Street, Belfast

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David Freeburn was connected to 52 Palmer Street, Shankill, Belfast

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David joined the Royal Irish Fusliers.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 19th September 1914.

David was a Private in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusliers when he Died of Wounds and Gas at No8 Casualty Clearing Station, Bailleul, France on the 25th May 1915.

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A local newspaper states.

ROLL OF HONOUR.

Died of gas and wounds- Freeburn, 4106, D.

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David's Soldiers Effects were left to Isabella Lewis, later Cotter.

His Will, signed and dated the 12th September 1914 left all of his money and property to Mrs Bella Lewis 52 Palmer Street.

I have replicated a letter that was with his Will, some of which is hard to understand, that was sent from Dunree Camp, County Donegal concerning leaving his Money and Everything Else to Bella, it states.

Dear B, mind to put this number in the address, 4106, for I do not know where I might be this day week as I was telling you that there is drafts of us going away every week, I expect to be away on Monday or Thursday at the ----- I think we are going to France by Southampton and we might go by Belfast as I hope we will and I do not care where the send us to as long as I get away from here, we could not be a bit worse off no matter where we were, the weather is bad here at present. The reason I did not send you money in this letter is because we are going to get some before we go away, I might be one and I might not, but I think a will as they took our number to day, you say Joe is only getting 4/1 shillings a week, for one I do not believe it for he is in titled to as much pay as I am and you can believe me or not, and I hope to be in Belfast to tell you if we come home all safe again as I hope we will, I think that there is a ----- open for them that have sons away and the only support they have got, I know when I get some money you will have your share of it and when we leave this I will sign my name for you to get all no matter what happens to me, you will get all my money no matter about my people, you know that they did not do much for me at the best, but you did and well I know that and hope to be able to leave you something in return, soon if I see you all again as I hope I will, but when I go away you will get my pay, all but a shilling or two, as I will have no call for it when I go to the front and I think that will not be long, and if you answer this letter before I write again write at once so that I will be able to let you know when and where we will be going, so we will get some money before I've gone. --------this address 4106 David Freeburn 3rd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, C Coy Dunree Camp Co Donegall. Good by Bella, Many x and -----back Saturday.

This letter is uploaded, so you may be able to grasp the parts that I could not.

Dependant Pension Application Form shows an Albert Heron, recognised as Guardian, and Mrs Isabella Lewis, described as his (unmarried wife) as claimants. It also shows that Isabella remarried Soldier Joseph Cotter on the 21st October 1916.

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David received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

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He is Remembered at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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