211032 Fus. Alfred James Wilfred "Tiger" Freeman British Army 2nd Batattion Royal Welch Fusiliers from:Enfield, Middleses (d.10 Nov 1944) My uncle, Alfred Freeman, was the only son of Alfred Snr. and his wife Eliza, he was killed on 10 November 1944. He died during a night time attack along with his colleague Fus. Hall who was from Liverpool.
He had one sister, Alice (Connie) who was my mother.
Alf served from the beginning of the war and was killed quite near to the end. He did not have to go overseas as his father was disabled and he was the supporter of his mother, unmarried and still lived at home. This was a source of great sadness to my mother. The last birthday card she sent him was of a sailing boat. It was returned to her marked 'It is regretted that this item could not be delivered because the addressee is reported to be deceased.' I still have the card in the original envelope.
According to a letter received in April 1945 from Captain & Adjutant Bomer (?) he was killed 'during the battle of Pinwe, C company of which your son was a member was attacked by a strong party of Japanese. The enemy managed to get into the Company area but a stern and courageous defence, which undoubtedly saved the Company from being overrun, drove them out, with great loss to themselves. Fusilier Freeman was in the area attacked and continued to fire his weapon until an unlucky shot killed him outright.'
He was originally buried at Mawlu, but his body was moved to Taukkyan War Cemetery, Rangoon. My mother wished to visit his grave but was not given permission as she was not the next of kin as her mother was still alive, but elderly at that time.
He was musical and played the violin, which is still in the families possession.
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