FREE, Samuel John
| Service Number: | 415 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 July 1916, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Machine Gun Battalion |
| Born: | Corack, Victoria, Australia, 5 January 1893 |
| Home Town: | Lalbert, Gannawarra, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Talgitcha State School No 3347 |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds, France, 26 May 1918, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme Plot II, Row C, Grave 24 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Corack East & District War Memorial |
Biography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of Samuel and Fanny FREE. of Lalbert, Victoria, Australia.
"DEARLY LOVED AND SADLY MISSED INSERTED BY HIS FATHER AND MOTHER"
The whole district was plunged into gloom on receipt of news a few days ago of the death from wounds received in action on 26th day of May of Pte S. J. Free. His brother, Pte. Bert Free, was only officially reported killed in action a few days before, thus a double sacrifice has fallen on the parents. Mr and Mrs Sam Free, of Lalbert East. Both lads, in company with their school mate, Pte H. Adler, enlisted on the same day, and entering camp together, sailed together for the front as machine gunners. The Free brothers were well known in all sport, but when the call of duty came they entered the list against the Hun. The three lads have paid the supreme sacrifice and found soldiers' graves in northern France. The sympathy of the whole district goes out to the parents, brothers, and sis ters of the fallen soldiers. Both were regular attendants of the Lalbert East Methodist Church.
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