Freer, Walter (1899 - 1918)

Second Lieutenant, 108th Sqdn. Royal Air Force

Buried at Arras Flying Services Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Second Lieutenant Walter Freer, elder son of Mr. Edward Freer, of Glasgow Corporation Halls, and of Mrs. Freer, 37 Derby Street, W., was a bright, active youth at School, full of hope and fun, and a universal favourite. He showed a marked linguistic bent, and for a schoolboy was exceptionally well read in modern literature. He thought at first of following a literary career, but he eventually
decided on becoming an analytical chemist, for which also he had an aptitude.

Soon after the outbreak of war, though still under age, he offered himself to the Scottish Branch of the Red Cross Society as motor ambulance driver, and served for six months in Rouen. Thereafter he joined the Infantry Training Reserve, and was later transferred to the Royal Air Force as a cadet, receiving his commission in April, 1918.

During his period of training he paid frequent visits to his old School, and all were delighted to see how month by month he grew not only in stature but in character. Straight and lithe, he looked a fine figure in his pilot's dress, and alertness and resolution looked out from every feature.

On the 11th of September 1918 he left for France as a reconnaissance and day bombing pilot. Writing home soon after, he says that he was frequently up and across the German lines three times a day, a heavy strain for a youth of barely nineteen. On the 6th October he set out on special reconnaissance work on the coast in the neighbourhood of Dixmude. He failed to return, and though the most searching inquiries were made, no definite information as to his fate has yet been received. His squadron commander
wrote--" He was a very popular boy, and was marked out as a coming leader of the squadron."

The utmost sympathy of the School goes out to his parents, brother and sisters, who have had to endure so long and trying a suspense.