Freecorn, David Allister

56321 Private David Allister Freecorn - Australian Artillery Details

David Allester Freecorn was born in Perth WA on the July 12th 1894 to Ansell and Joan Freecorn. He was one of five siblings born into the family with Joan (1887), Lily (1888), Rose (1890) and Esther (1892).

The family lived in West Perth and David was educated at a local primary school before going to Scotch College. After leaving school David took up training as an Indentor.

In 1916 his father Ansell died and he was left to support the family. He enlisted early in the war but suffered a broken arm and so was released from service. In April 1918 David offered his services again and was once again accepted for service.

The medical examiner recorded David's physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 10 inches tall;

Weight - 133lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-35 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

After his successful enlistment David was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the 2nd WA General reinforcements. On the 29th July 1918 David and his group were sent to Albany where they boarded the transport ship HMAT Marathon, which took them on their journey to England.

David was given the temporary rank of Lance Corporal for the voyage and he disembarked at London England on the 27th September 1918. He was then sent into the 1st Training Battalion at Fovant Camp on the Salisbury Plains.

David had been assigned to join the 11th Battalion AIF who were then still serving in France, however on the 5th October 1918 he was instead sent to the Australian Artillery Details Camp at Heytesbury. He was still in camp in England when the Armistice was signed.

Despite the war being over, on the 27 November 1918 David was sent across to France where he went into the Australian Artillery Depot at Rouelles. He remined there until the 18th January 1919 when he was returned to England. David had been selected for duty with the Chief Paymaster of the AIF and so found himself based at the AIF Headquarters at Horseferry Road London. He was on this duty till the 5th April 1919.

David had applied for leave from the AIF for non military experience. He was granted leave from the 5th April to 4th July 1919. He would be working at the London Office of the Union Bank of Australia.

However this appears to have not happened as he embarked for Australia on the 9th April 1919. The journey went via China and Sydney, with David eventually arriving in Fremantle on the 9th August 1919.

On his return in 1920 David married Mary Eileen Plaistowe. A daughter Mary was born in 1920 and Joan in 1924.

The family then lived in Cottesloe but he would also become greatly associated with Fremantle.

David was working with Charlie Carter in Fremantle and in 1932 in Adelaide Street Fremantle opened his own store.

He was a supporter of Legacy, Master of Hounds with the WA Hunt Club and owned several racehorses. Freecorn Pty Ltd was sold in 1972.

David Freecorn died in Perth on the 22nd March 1969 and was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.