Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant E. Freeman, Royal Lancaster Regiment, late Liverpool Regiment

Military Medal, G.V.R., (29067 Sjt E. Freeman. 8/R. Lanc: R.); 1914 Star (9307 Sjt E. Freeman. 1/L’pool: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9307 Sjt. E. Freeman. L’pool R.) good very fine and better (4) £340-380

M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919.

Edward Freeman was born in London in 1888, and was a handle bar bender by trade. He attested for the 2nd Battalion Liverpool Regiment in 1905, having previously served with the 6th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, and served firstly as Sergeants’ Mess Waiter. He went absent on 3 March 1907, was declared a deserter on 23 April 1907, and was apprehended and tried by District Court Martial and sentenced to 56 days detention for desertion on 6 August 1907. He returned to duty and over the next few years rose through the ranks to Sergeant by May 1913, serving for some time as Sergeants’ Mess Caterer and Musketry Instructor. On 13 June 1914, he was reprimanded for serving a N.C.O. liquor when already drunk. In July 1914 prior to transferring to the Army Reserve, he was employed as Drill and Musketry Instructor. Recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 12 August 1914, and was wounded in the right thigh by shrapnel on 3 November 1914. He was sent home on 28 December 1914 and on recuperation was posted to the 3rd Battalion Liverpool Regiment and appointed Acting Staff Sergeant Instructor of Musketry. He transferred to the 11th Battalion Liverpool Regiment, and subsequently to the Royal Lancaster Regiment on 31 March 1918. Posted to the 8th Battalion on 2 April 1918, he received gun-shot wounds to the face on 2 October 1918 and was sent home. He was discharged with 70% disablement on 30 January 1919 from the 3rd Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment, whilst attached to the 53rd (Young Soldier) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment. He was subsequently awarded the Military Medal in July 1919.