Regimental number(s): 213516 Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3299 – 24, Item: 404064, PDF:- B329-SO24.  Date of Birth: 29/06/1893, in Romney Twsp., Kent Co., ON. Son of  Mrs. Jesse (mother) and Mr. Herbert Hall Freeland of 121 Erie St. South Leamington, ON., brother of Herbert Henry 124155. A single laborer living in Leamington. Next of Kin: Mrs. Jessie Freeman (mother).  George served one year with the 21^st Fusiliers of Windsor before enlistment. Attestation: 8/02/1916 at Leamington,”Fit”., to the 99^th Bn. Transferred to the 19^th Bn. 8/01/16

Age at enlistment: 22 years, Height, 5’ 11 ½”, Girth: 38”, Complexion: Light, Eyes: Grey, Hair: Brown. No marks, Weight: 150 #. 

Embarked the 99th at Halifax, NS. 31 May, 1916 aboard the “S.S. Olympic” and disembarked at Liverpool, England. 8/06/16. Transferred to the 35^th Res. Bn. at West Sandling, 6/07/16. From the 35^th Bn. he transferred to the 19^th Bn. and went to France 6/08/16. TOS: 7/08/16 with 19^th Bn. Joined unit 2/09/16.   2/11/16 left for 2^nd Engineer Batt. joined 5/11/16.

6/08/16 from the 35^th Bn. Transferred to the 19^th Batt. – to France. 7/08/16 Taken on strength w/19^th Bn. 12/08/16 Left for 2^nd Batt. 14/08/16 2^nd Batt. 13/10/16 Class ‘A’. 23/12/16 ‘Fit’ promoted to Cpl. W/Pay.

Transferred to the 19^th Bn. It is believed that he saw action at Vimy Ridge. 3 May, 1917 George was in action south of Loos. On May 3^rd the 1^st and 2^nd Canadian Division attacked and captured the town of Fresnoy which was 5 miles east of Vimy Ridge, On the 4^th of May the British 95^th Infantry Brigade, 5^th British Division relieved the Canadians but left the 2^nd Canadian division holding the line north-west of the town. On May the 5^th the 5^th Bavarian Division was ordered to recapture Fresnoy.

23/12/16 George was promoted to Cpl. with pay – reverted to Pte. joining unit 21/04/17. Left unit 16/04/17 joining 19^th Bn.

Wounded, 6/10/16, he was admitted to No. 13 General Hospital – Boulogne, Fr. GSW to the neck 10/10/16.

it is believed that he saw action at Vimy Ridge. 3 May, 1917 George was in action south of Loos. On May 3^rd the 1^st and 2^nd Canadian Division attacked and captured the town of Fresnoy which was 5 miles east of Vimy Ridge, On the 4^th of May the British 95^th Infantry Brigade, 5^th British Division relieved the Canadians but left the 2^nd Canadian division holding the line north-west of the town. On May the 5^th the 5^th Bavarian Division was ordered to recapture Fresnoy.

The Germans opened their attack with an artillery barrage of 100,000 shell of all caliber and included gas shells and the German infantry attacked just as the 19^th Bn. was relieving the 28 & 29^th Bn. under terrible conditions. From Cpl. Deward Barnes’s diary he describes this as follows: “ Moved up to the front lines six miles away. It was raining hard and the ground was very sticky as part of the country was clay.”

Each man in the 19th would have been carrying 120 pounds of ammunition, weapons and supplies  and they would have been guided by members of the units they were replacing. They took over 1,200 yards (1.1 km.) with the 18^th on their left and the 12^th Bn. Gloucester Regt. (Imperials) on their right. It was during this action that he disappeared, his body was never identified.  WJ. 25/11/09.

Previously reported “Missing”. Now for official purposes he was presumed to have “Died on or service 9/05/17, – MISSING.

 “Now for Official purposes presumed to have DIED, on or since 9/05/17. 

FREELAND, GEORGE ARTHUR; Initials: G. A.,Nationality: Canadian, Rank: Private Afe 23  Regiment/Service: Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment) Unit Text: 19th Bn.             Age: 23, MIA, Date of Death: 09/05/1917; Service No: 213516.

Additional information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hall Freeland, of 121, Erie Street South, Leamington, Ontario. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL. Pas de Calais.

It Made Me Think Of Home – The diary of Cpl. Deward Barnes 862690 19^th Bn Bruce Cane author

Nationality: Canadian

Mrs. Jessie Freeland, Box 268, Leamington (18/03/1921 received the Memorial Cross. Mr. H. H. Freeland received the Memorial Scroll 18/03/1921 and the Memorial Plaque 17/11/1921

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Wheatley Journal Newspaper (25-11-2009), Commonwealth War Grave Commission, RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 3299 - 24, LAC, CVWM,
Supplemental Information	Age: 23, KIA. Date of Death: 09/05/1917 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Memorial: VIMY MEMORIAL.

Height	5'11 1/2"
Weight	150 lbs. lbs
Eye Colour	Grey
Age	22 yrs.
Complexion	Light
Hair	Brown
Birthplace	29/06/1893, in Romney Twsp., Kent Co., ON.

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