Harry William Freeman was born on Monday, 7th March 1898 in Apsley End, Hertfordshire and baptised in September of the same year at St Mary’s Church in the village. He was the first of two boys born to James Thomas Freeman and Louisa Hosier and his younger brother by three years was Arthur James. His brother Arthur died aged eighteen in October 1918 just eight months after Harry was killed. He had been suffering from acute Tubercular Bronchitis. Harry’s father James worked as a ‘Carman’ for John Dickinson and Co Limited and may well have been the driver of the Fire Engine at Apsley Mills by the time Harry went to war.

Harry volunteered in October 1915 when he was still underage at seventeen and after attesting at Hertford, he enlisted with the Northamptonshire Regiment. The location and the regiment were probably chosen because he would not have been known by anyone and his age easy to disguise. He was accepted and went to train with the Northants for the next twelve months. It is not clear when Harry went overseas, but it is likely to have been around October or November of 1916. When he did go, he was posted to the 7th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, which was in the process of being reinforced following heavy losses incurred during the attack on Ginchy in September.

Harry probably joined the unit as part of a draft of 108 men on the 21st November at Locre, south west of Ypres. In 1917 he fought first at the Battle of Messines in June, before moving back to Belgium where he fought with his unit at the Battle of Langemark in August. It was at Langemark, where the 7th Battalion again suffered heavy casualties (335), that Harry was recognised for an act of gallantry during the battle. The Battalion War Diary recorded the following just over a month later: “30-9-17 …Bn awarded 19 M. Medals for bravery during operations at YPRES in August 17…” The Military Medal (M.M.) was awarded to non-commissioned ranks for "acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire". The award of an M.M. was "Gazetted", unfortunately however, they were not normally given a citation, so the reason for Harry’s award is not known.

In November 1917 the 7th Battalion was absorbed into the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and Harry came under the new command. By March 1918 the 2nd Battalion was at Cambrai in France and on the 17th March, St Patrick’s Day, it celebrated with “Sports etc.” as recorded in the War Diary. Just three days later, warning was received that the Germans planned to attack and the Battalion took precautionary measures and were soon suffering intermittent enemy shelling. On the 21st March the barrage intensified and the 2nd Battalion was ordered to “man battle stations” and went into action.

The operations continued for six days with little respite, until relief came on the 27th March and the Battalion moved back to reserve positions. The War Diaries recorded the casualties from the actions as follows: “6 Officers Missing 3 Officers Killed 4 Officers Wounded 618 O. Ranks Missing 10 O. Ranks Killed 64 O. Ranks Wounded 12 O. Ranks Wounded and Missing”, all told 717 men, almost half the fighting strength of the amalgamated 2nd and 7th Battalions.

Harry was one of the men killed and he died on Sunday, 24th March 1918, a day on which losses were particularly heavy against overwhelming enemy numbers.

He was commemorated on the War Memorial Plaque in St Mary’s Church, Apsley End.

Harry is Remembered with Honour on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France, Panel 74 to 76.

He was only 20 years old when he died.

Harry was eligible for the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.