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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Buchan Freeland

In memory of:

Second Lieutenant John Buchan Freeland

July 26, 1917

Military Service

Age:

19

Force:

Army

Unit:

Yorkshire Regiment

Division:

2nd Battalion

Additional Information

Son of Edward Buchan and Annie Louisa Freeland (nee Stark), of 1159 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 577 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

MENIN GATE (YPRES) MEMORIAL
Belgium

Grave Reference:

N/A

Location:


The Menin Gate Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town of Ypres (now Ieper) in the Province of West Flanders, on the road to Menin and Courtrai. It bears the names of 55,000 men who were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and erected by the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission, it consists of a Hall of Memory", 36.6 metres long by 20.1 metres wide. In the centre are broad staircases leading to the ramparts which overlook the moat, and to pillared loggias which run the whole length of the structure. On the inner walls of the Hall, on the side of the staircases and on the walls of the loggias, panels of Portland stone bear the names of the dead, inscribed by regiment and corps. Carved in stone above the central arch are the words:


TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.

Over the two staircases leading from the main Hall is the inscription:

HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.

The dead are remembered to this day in a simple ceremony that takes place every evening at 8:00 p.m. All traffic through the gateway in either direction is halted, and two buglers (on special occasions four) move to the centre of the Hall and sound the Last Post. Two silver trumpets for use in the ceremony are a gift to the Ypres Last Post Committee by an officer of the Royal Canadian Artillery, who served with the 10th Battery, of St. Catharines, Ontario, in Ypres in April 1915."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Memorial– Inscription on the Menin Gate - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

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    Memorial
    Memorial – Inscription on the Menin Gate - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Memorial– Menin Gate - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens

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    Memorial
    Memorial – Menin Gate - May 2019 … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram August 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram August 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram August 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – From the Toronto Telegram August 1917. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping 2– From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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    Newspaper Clipping 2
    Newspaper Clipping 2 – From the Toronto Star. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Battalion Photo– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

    Details

    Battalion Photo
    Battalion Photo – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.
  • Memorial Arch– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

    Details

    Memorial Arch
    Memorial Arch – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.
  • Memorial– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades.

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades.
  • Menin Gate– Second Lieutenant John Buchan Freeland was the son of Edward Buchan and Annie Louisa Freeland (nee Stark), of 1159 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario. He was a member of the class of 1913 at the Royal Military College of Canada, Cadet #1045. He served with the 2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regiment. He died on July 26, 1917 at 19 years of age. His name is listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His name is listed on the memorial arch at the Royal Military College of Canada. Photograph and details by volunteer/s: Rudy Van Kerckhoven http://www.twgpp.org/information.php?id=1222901

    Details

    Menin Gate
    Menin Gate – Second Lieutenant John Buchan Freeland was the son of Edward Buchan and Annie Louisa Freeland (nee Stark), of 1159 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario. He was a member of the class of 1913 at the Royal Military College of Canada, Cadet #1045. He served with the 2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regiment. He died on July 26, 1917 at 19 years of age. His name is listed on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. His name is listed on the memorial arch at the Royal Military College of Canada. Photograph and details by volunteer/s: Rudy Van Kerckhoven http://www.twgpp.org/information.php?id=1222901
  • Commemorative Plaque– 1914-18 Memorial Plaque, The University Schools, University of Toronto, 371 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario. Erected by the U.T.S. Hockey Club, 1919-20.

    Details

    Commemorative Plaque
    Commemorative Plaque – 1914-18 Memorial Plaque, The University Schools, University of Toronto, 371 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario. Erected by the U.T.S. Hockey Club, 1919-20.
  • Stained Glass Window– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

    Details

    Stained Glass Window
    Stained Glass Window – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.
  • Memorial– Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario

    Details

    Memorial
    Memorial – Memorial stair, Royal Military College, Kingston, Ontario
  • Plaque– Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

    Details

    Plaque
    Plaque – Ex-cadets are named on the Memorial Arch at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario and in memorial stained glass windows to fallen comrades. 1045 Lieut John Buchanan Freeland (RMC 1914) was born November 7, 1897. He entered Univesity of Toronto Schools in September 1910 and graduated four years later. He immediately joined the Royal Military College in Kingston, and in December 1915 became a lieutenant in Alexandra, Princess of Wales Own, 2nd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment. In June 1916, he went overseas to France, and the following month he was wounded at Trones Wood in the Battle of the Somme. After three months’ leave in Canada to allow his damaged left hand and wrist to heal, he returned to Europe, and after a brief stay in England rejoined his regiment, by then stationed in Belgium. On 26 July 1917, during fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Ypres, Freeland went forward alone in order to find a German machine gunner who was inflicting heavy casualties on his men. He was killed instantly and his body was never recovered. Afterwards, his colonel noted that had Freeland returned, he would have received the Military Cross for his courageous action. He is commemorated on the family memorial in Pine Hills Cemetery in Scarborough.

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