Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

John Freedman was a naturalised British citizen, born in Poland in 1891.  He married Pearl Goodman on 13 August 1912 at the Western Synagogue, St Albans Place, Haymarket, London SW1.  Pearl was a milliner, born in Russia.  They had two daughters:  Helen, born in Camberwell on 11 July 1913 and Rene born in Paddington on 25 March 1916.

John enlisted at South Farnborough on 12 August 1916 in 51 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps as a Driver (Motor Transport) 2^nd Air Mechanic, based at Marham, Downham Market, Norfolk.  John is described as 5ft 8in tall, weighing 129lbs, with a chest measurement of 31inches, expanding to 34 inches.

He passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 23 October 1916, one of a group of  “Four “R.F.C” Boys. Good grub. after being stranded for a couple of hours. Hope to visit this place again but not in this condition (Broke & hard up)”.  He was promoted to Acting/Corporal Mechanic, 51 Squadron 66 on 15 June 1918.

John was hospitalised on several occasions, the last time being in November 1918 when he was admitted to 1^st Eastern General Hospital, Cambridge with a heart condition, which according to his medical report prior to discharge, was an aortic aneurysm, this had originated in civilian life, and had been exacerbated by his war service; this left him with a 50% degree of disablement.  He was discharged from hospital and the RAF as medically unfit on 21 December 1918.

In 1939 he was still in London with Pearl, employed on the sales side of brush manufacturing.  The couple lived at 40 Kemerton Road, Lambeth with two other couples, the Goodmans and the Fibers.

Pearl died in Wandsworth in 1972 but we have not been able to confirm John’s death date yet.

Please get in touch if you can you tell us more about John Freedman.