1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
12/06/1892
Died:
18/05/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age:
22
Summary
Alexander Freeburn was born in Killymoon Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone and was a son of David Freeburn. Prior to enlisting, Alexander, worked as a solicitor’s clerk in Omagh. He joined the Army in Cookstown in 1910 and was drafted into the 1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He went with them to China and later was stationed in Secunderabad in India, and later at the Gallipoli Peninsula, Dardanelles in April 1915. Lance Corporal Freeburn was killed in action on the 18th May 1915 while the 1st Inniskillings were holding the line between Ghurkha Bluff and Big Nullah on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Further Information
Alexander Freeburn was the son of David and Mary Freeburn. David Freeburn married Mary Brown on 1st November 1884 in the district of Cookstown.
Alexander Freeburn was born in Derryloran, Cookstown on 12th June 1892. He was one of at least thirteen children, including two sets of twins.
Known family: David Freeburn, Mary Freeburn, Mary Freeburn (born 2nd April 1885), Robert Freeburn (born 23rd November 1887), John Freeburn (born 1st January 1888), Martha Freeburn (born 1st January 1888), David Freeburn (born 4th May 1890), Alexander Freeburn (born 12th June 1892), Thomas John Freeburn (born 25th September 1895), Rebecca Freeburn (born 12th June 1897), Charles Freeburn (born 28th February 1899), Sarah Jane Freeburn (born 22nd March 1901), Edward Freeburn (born 3rd August 1902), Rachel Freeburn (born 26th November 1905), Samuel Freeburn (born 26th November 1905, died 26th December 1905).
The 1901 census lists Alexander as age 9, living with the family at house 6 in Aughlish, Orritor, Cookstown. David Freeburn was a carpenter. Two children worked in a linen factory.
Alexander’s mother died sometime between 1905 and 1911.
Prior to enlisting, Alexander worked as a solicitor’s clerk in Omagh.
He joined the Army in Cookstown in 1910 and was drafted into the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
The 1911 census does not list Alexander as living with the family at house 9 in Aughlish, Orritor. His father was a widower.
He went with them to China and later was stationed in Secunderabad in India.
Lance Corporal Freeburn arrived at the Gallipoli Peninsula, Dardanelles in April 1915.
Lance Corporal Alexander Freeburn was killed in action on the 18th May 1915 while the 1st Inniskillings were holding the line between Ghurkha Bluff and Big Nullah on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Newspaper reports suggest that his father worked at Adair’s Mill at Greenvale.
Lance Corporal A Freeburn is commemorated on Special Memorial C 119 in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Turkey.
Alexander’s brother, Thomas John Freeburn, served with the Royal Garrison Artillery during the First World War and survived.
Lance Corporal Alexander Freeburn is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and on Second Presbyterian Cookstown’s Roll of Honour.
The CWGC have Alexander Freeburn incorrectly tagged a Private. His medal card and other military records all confirm that he was a Lance Corporal.
