Biography:
Russell Herbert Freeman was born 27 January 1894, the fifth of eight children of William Robert and Anne Freeman of 103 Westbourne Terrace, London, and brother of Alan Gurth Freeman (C 1911-1916). His father was a building and stone contractor, whose family had been quarry owners near Halifax. His grandfather moved south to become a partner in Mowlen, Freeman and Burt, a building firm associated with many important London building projects.
Russell Freeman came to Winchester College from the Revd FG Page's school at Eastbourne in September 1907 and was in C House, Du Boulay's. He was a House Prefect and played in OTH XV.
He left Winchester in March 1912 and then spent a little time in Germany before going up to Christ Church, Oxford to read Medicine.
On the outbreak of war he was gazetted to the 3rd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. He went to France on 1 January 1915, and was invalided home with paratyphoid in the spring of that year. On his recovery he joined the Royal Flying Corps and served in Egypt, winning the M.C., the Croix de Guerre with palms and was mentioned in Despatches.
Russell returned to England in June 1917 and was appointed instructor at the Central Flying School, with the rank of Squadron-Commander. A few months later he returned to France. On 21 July 1918, whilst flying a Sopwith Camel, he was in combat with an enemy aircraft but was thought to be safe. He was last seen flying in the direction of Belleau on the Marne. A Camel was claimed in combat at Fere-En Tardenlois that day by Lt H. Von Bulow of Jasta 36. From the records it is unclear how or when his body was recovered although the CWGC website lists his grave details.
Source: www.chch.ox.ac.uk/fallen-alumni/major-russell-herbert-freeman-mc-croix-de-guerre