Source: October 1918 casualty.
SERGT. E.B. FREE KILLED
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Went Over With 124th Battalion Two Years Ago – Was Machine Gun Instructor.Mrs. John ree had received word that her only son, Sergt. Ernest Basset Free, was killed in action on October 11. Sergt. Free enlisted with the 124th Battalion and went overseas in August 1916. During his training he was made a corporal, but sacrificed his stripes in order to get to France where he was transferred to the 18th Battalion. Up to a few weeks ago he had been acting as an instructor in machine gun work. He was in his twenty-first year and previous to going overseas had been employed with the firm of Foley Brothers on C.N.R. construction work.
Toronto Star. November 7, 1918.
War Diary of the 18th Battalion CEF 