Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 900
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Image Details
| Title | Berkshire and The War: the "Reading Standard" pictorial record. Volume 4. p 900 |
|---|---|
| Page number | 900 |
| Date | 1919 |
| Edition | |
| Publisher | Unknown |
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THE LATE LIEUT.-COL. W. T. FREEMAN, R.A.M.C. (T.)
IMPRESSIVE SCENES AT THE FUNERAL.
The deepest regret was felt in Reading at the announcement of the death at Portland Place, 30, London Road, Reading, of Dr. William Thomas Freeman, who passed away suddenly on Monday, December 23rd, 1918, from heart failure. Dr. Freeman was M.D., F.R.C.S., and Lieut.-Colonel of the R.A.M.C. Death was undoubtedly accelerated by the strain of overwork at the military hospitals and otherwise.
Dr. Freeman had practised in Reading for 29 years, having previously resided at Pangbourne, and acted as medical officer of Bradiield College. At the close of the South African war he became an officer in the Territorials, R.A.M.C. On the outbreak of the great war in August, 1914, he went to Oxford, and was medical officer for three months at No. 3 Southern General Hospital. On the formation of No. 1 War Hospital, Reading, Dr. Freeman returned to Reading and joined the staff there. He was also in charge of Redlands War Hospital, physician at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, and medical officer at H.M. Prison. How devotedly Dr. Freeman carried out his onerous duties few outside the ranks of his family are aware; he had been feeling the strain for a long time, and when the armistice was signed he expressed his pleasure that he had been able to carry on the hospital work to the end.
The widespread regret felt at the death of Dr. W. T. Freeman was manifested in a remarkable manner at the funeral. Full military honours were accorded, and at St. Giles' Church, where the service was held, there was a crowded congregation, practically the whole of the medical profession being represented in addition to a very large number of personal friends, prominent townsmen and the general public, while outside the building there was also a large crowd.
The party following the coffin was composed of the Reading War Hospital R.A.M.C. staff, under Major Joyce, the Company Officer, with Colonel Maurice, Chief in Command, patients of Battle, Wilson and Katesgrove War Hospitals, while the pall bearers were the following senior officers: Lieut.-Col. Johnson, R.A.M.C., Major Abram, R.A.M.C. (T.), Major Ritson, R.A.M.C. (T.), Major Price, R.A.M.C. (T.), and Major Exton, R.A.M.C. The coffin was borne into the church by sergeants of the R.A.M.C.
The service was conducted by the Rev. F. J. C. Gillmor, S.C.F., Vicar of St. Giles', assisted by the Ven. Archdeacon Ducat and Canon Trotter. The passage of the coffin, which was covered with a Union Jack, down the nave of the church was preceded by the choir and clergy with an acolyte being an unlifted cross. [sic] The service was choral and included the hymns "Now the labourer's task is o'er" and "God of the living in whose eyes". As the cortege passed out the organist (Mr. Scrivener) played Chopin's Funeral March on the organ. The escort remained on guard until the coffin was placed in the hearse. The body was afterwards conveyed to Golders Green for cremation.
[photo, portrait] THE LATE LIEUT.-COL. W. T. FREEMAN, R.A.M.C. (T.).
[photo, crowd, exterior] SCENE OUTSIDE ST. GILES' CHURCH, READING. [Photo H. Goddard, 142, Southampton St.]