Private George Freeman was born in Fulham, London. His father was a labourer. George joined the 8th Battalion in March 1943 after having served in Bedfordshire & Herefordshire Regiment as a Signalman on a 12 year enlistment. He saw action in Dunkirk in May 1940.
George was on Course 58 at Ringway. His instructor noted "very good jumper, confident and reliable".
He became batman to Captain Denis B. Kelland. On 6th June 1944 George dropped into Normandy from a Dakota DC3 flown by 233 Squadron RAF with 17 other parachutists. He left the aircraft immediately after Captain Kelland, who was No.1. He landed safely. However whilst in the front line in woods above Ranville making breakfast he was hit by shrapnel from a mortar bomb. He died instantly on 1 July 1944, aged 26, and was given a field burial near Bavent and re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery on 21 August 1945.
His grave inscription reads "Though lost to sight to memory dear. Till we meet again. Mother"
Writtten by Ben Hill with information kindly donated by Anne Timms
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