Company Sergeant Major Robert Ernest Freaks, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

KOYLI Uniform
1910

Robert Ernest Freaks was born on 8th May 1886 in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire and enlisted in the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (No.4680646) on 5th December 1906. Prior to enlisting he was working as an agricultural labourer in Chatteris.

WW1 Medals + Good Conduct

He served in India, France and Germany and was awarded Long Service chevrons and received the Good Conduct Medal. He was also entitled to the 1914/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was wounded twice during the war.

Robert Ernest Freaks

On demobilisation he married Dorothy Louisa Druce at Burton Overy in the early 1920s. They lived on St Thomas’ Road and St Cuthbert’s Avenue in Great Glen.

He died in 1955 and it is puzzling to think that he was put on to the War Memorial as dying as a result of war in 1923. He and his wife are buried in Great Glen Churchyard (Ref F39)

KOYLI Badge

There was also a Warrant Officer 2nd Class Robert E Freaks (No. 9008) in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry during WW1 but so far no death record has been found nor any connection with Great Glen.