Private Enoch Florin Freeman was born on March 28th, 1896, to Simeon and Esther (nee Ringer) Freeman.  Enoch was the youngest brother of Whitman, Abbie, Gertrude, and Mabel, and was raised as a Baptist in Kempt.  He was working as a Blacksmith when he enlisted. 

 

      On August 4th, 1914, the Governor General declared war between Canada and Germany. Just 108 days later, on November 20th, Enoch took up the call to serve his country and enlisted in the Canadian Infantry.   Just 18 years old, he was observed to be “fresh” faced on his enlistment medical records.  Enoch was 5 feet and 7 inches tall (170 cm) and had grey eyes and brown hair. 

 

      The Liverpool advance noted of his enlistment “He will be manly and do his best wherever his country best needs his service.  We can all cheer this young man, wish him Godspeed, and trust that he will be spared to return to his friends”.

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      Upon enlistment, Enoch was made an Infantryman in the New Brunswick Regiment of the 25th Battalion and was assigned the rank of Private and Regimental number 67504.   His military records are sparse, but they note that in late March 1915, he entered the hospital in Halifax with Rheumatic Fever, and after declining for seventeen days, he perished on April 10th, 1915.  Private Freeman was just two weeks past his 19th birthday.  A promising young recruit keen to serve his country and turn back German aggression, Private Enoch Freeman died 100 miles from home (160 km) just 141 days after he enlisted.  He was the first man from the North Queens to die in service of the King in World War One.

 

      On April 14th, 1915, the Advance noted in Private Freeman’s obituary that “All are saddened by the death of Enoch Freeman, who, although not on the firing line, yet gave his life for his country.  The deceased, having spent a few years in Milton, and being a young man of Christian character and pleasing disposition, was held in esteem by his community.”  Private Freeman was brought home for his funeral and is interred in Pine Grove Cemetery in Kempt.  In a follow-up article about his funeral, the Advance notes “A large number of friends gathered to pay their last respects to one of our soldier boys.  He was a bright, smart boy, and has shown his noble character by enlisting, willing to give up his life for his King and country.  The family have the deepest sympathy of the whole community”.

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      Private Freeman’s nephew, Flying Officer Averell Freeman, perished in service during World War Two.  Thus Private Freeman’s brother Whitman lost a brother and a son to the wars in Europe.

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      Private Freeman’s records do not indicate if his parents were presented with the Memorial Plaque and Scroll and/or awarded the Memorial Cross Medal (also known as the Silver Cross).  Perhaps his death was before these Memorial Commendations were instituted, or the omission could be due to the poorly recorded details of his short time with the Canadian Infantry.

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      Private Enoch Florin Freeman is commemorated on page 15 of the World War One Book of Remembrance.  He is also listed on the Caledonia Cenotaph.

 

 

 

 

Online References

War Grave Search – https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2755416/enoch-freeman/

Local Grave Search - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/144640344/enoch-freeman

Canadian Virtual War Memorial - https://www.veterans.gc.ca/en/remembrance/memorials/canadian-virtual-war-memorial/detail/2755416?Enoch%20Freeman

Canadian Census  - https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=census&IdNumber=8111440&ecopy=e001975940

First World War Personnel Records Database (file download size 3.88 Meg) - https://recherche-collection-search.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/Home/Record?app=pffww&IdNumber=404106&ecopy=B3301-S006