| Freeth | George Henry Basil | | Captain | FREETH, GEORGE HENRY BASIL, Captain, was born in London 31 December 1872, son of Colonel William Freeth, MVO, Chief Constable, Isle of Man (1888-1911), and Helen Macpherson, daughter of General Macpherson, of Inverness. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, London; King William's College, Isle of Man, and the RMC, Sandhurst, 1891, and joined the Lancashire Fusiliers as Second Lieutenant 19 November 1892, becoming Lieutenant 23 May 1894. He served in India and Egypt, and in the Nile Expedition of 1898 he was present at the Battle of Khartoum, and received the Medal and the Egyptian Medal with clasp. He was promoted to Captain 27 September 1899. He served during the occupation of Crete. From 1899 to 1902 he served in South Africa, and took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and the action at Spion Kop; operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900. He performed the duties of Commandant and Railway Staff Officer. He took part in the operations in the Transvaal, May 1901 to 31 May 1902; operations in Orange River Colony, November 1900 to May 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with three clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "George Henry Basil Freeth, Captain, Lancashire Fusiliers. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, and presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He was Adjutant, Militia, 20 September 1902 to 19 September 1905; Major 24 June, 1910; was at the Staff College, 1909-10; DAAG, Northern Command, 31 October 1911 to 4 August 1914. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 21 February 1912. He served in the European War from 1914 to 1918; as DAAG, GHQ, BEF, 5 August 1914 to 16 March, 1915; as AAG, GHQ, BEF, 17 March to 7 December 1915; as Brigade Commander, 2nd Lancashire Brigade, British Armies in France, until 27 June 1916; Brigade Commander, 167th Infantry Brigade, 27 July 1916. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 3 June, 1916; was given the Brevet of Colonel 3 June, 1917. Colonel Freeth was four times mentioned in Despatches, was created a CMG 1916, and a CB 1919. He married, in 1903, Ruth Elaine, daughter of James W Scott, of Westlands, Queenstown, and they had two daughters, Barbara and Felicity.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Lancashire Fusiliers |
