Francis's Story.
F. A. Freeth has been included here due to the Guardian article, recording that he lived at Sandiway.
Guardian Article 14th June 1918 P3/C3; SOLDIER SCIENTIST HONOURED ORDER OF BRITISH EMPIRE FOR CAPTAIN FREETH.
An officership of the British Empire has been conferred on Captain Francis Arthur Freeth of Heyesmere, Sandiway. The honour paid to him has afforded the greatest pleasure to his many friends in Northwich and district, and will give much delight to the officers and men of the Cheshire Territorials, now on active service, with whom he has served in the trenches. Captain Freeth, who has born in 1881, comes of a distinguished military and navel family. He is a son of Lieut. E, H. Freeth of the R.N.B., master mariner of Liverpool, who received the King’s Transport Medal for services during the South African War, whilst his grandfather was Major-General James Freeth R.E., and his great-grandfather Lieut-General Sir James Freeth , K.C.B., who fought with Wellington through the Peninsular War.
Captain Freeth was educated at the University of Liverpool, 1900-1906, where he took first-class honours in Chemistry. In 1907 he entered the employ of Messrs Brunner, Mond and Co., and in 1912 joined the local Territorial Force, with which he became a most popular officer. He mobilised with the company in August 1914, and went to the front in February 1915. At the end of March the same year he was recalled to undertake work of great national importance, and it is in connection with his success in this respect that he has been awarded this honour.
N.A.M.C. have a medal card for a Freeth, Francis Arthur, 5th Cheshire Regiment, Captain & 5th Cheshire Territorial Force, Captain. Theatre of War, Western and Date of Entry 15/2/1915. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medals.
Freebmd records the birth of a Francis Arthur Freeth in 1884 in Birkenhead.
B. M. & Co. R.o.H. booklet records at the Winnington Works pre WW1 a Francis Arthur Freeth Capt., 5th Cheshire. The Brunner Mond 50th Anniversary book, page 58, mentions the appointments to the Order of the British Empire of 4 people, including F. A. Freeth to be officer (Military Division) (O.B.E.)
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 2 JULY, 1917. 6533
Lt. (temp. Capt.) F. A. Freeth to be Capt., with precedence as from 1st June1916. 3rd July 1917.
SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 28 JANUARY, 1918. 1373.
TERRITORIAL FORCE RESERVE.
Capt. F. A. Freeth, from Ches. Regt., to be Capt. 29th Jan. 1918.
6270 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 8 AUGUST, 1921.
Cheshire R. 5th (D.F.) Bn. — Temp. Capt. F. A. Freeth, O.B.E., relinquishes his commission, 5 July 1921.
Rsearch Bob H.