Those of us privileged to know Freeman Cassidy valued his sincere friendship and admired him as a valiant comrade in the Second World War. He served in Bermuda and overseas during the North West Europe Campaign in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

He shared the horrors and triumphs of the Second Contingent of Bermuda volunteers from the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps to the Lincolnshire Regiment. They were posted to the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment in the British 3rd Infantry Division where their services were vital in crucial battles. Tragically, some were to lose their lives. But as they left our world for a better one they did so with pride, as did all those who survived.

Most casualties occurred in the final assault at the Battle of Winnikendonk, as the Germans were pushed back into Germany. The victory of Winnikendonk on March 1, 1945, helped substantially in clearing the way for the German surrender on May 10.

Freeman sustained a serious gunshot would there. It led to a memorable meeting on the battlefield with his comrade, George Wall. The details are included in a separate story accompanying this tribute.

Freeman was modest and perhaps introspective to an underserved degree. His nickname was "Micey". Certainly, he could be "quiet", but just as certainly, in all the years we knew and served with him, he never came close to blowing his own trumpet. Had he done so, even in a small way, it could have been to his and our advantage. He had so much to remember.

Now, I am not a devotee of nicknames. I never called Freeman by his. Yet, the use of nicknames in Bermuda is usually far more affectionate than critical. How many of us, for instance, really knew Whitfield Hayward. But all Bermuda knew him as (Chummy) Hayward.

Returning to the beginning of Freeman's story.

He was born at Spanish Point in Pembroke on November 30, 1919, one of nine children of Charlotte and John Cassidy.

Like so many of us growing up in the shadow of the Great Depression of the 1930s, Freeman left school early. However, the education we received in those days served us well. Some of Bermuda's most prominent and influential citizens began their working lives as teenagers.

Freeman's first employment was with Thomas Miles Super Market, a major branch of Pearman, Watlington & Company. He was a butcher trainee, advanced quickly in his newly acquired profession, which he embraced almost for all of his working life.

The Second World War was only a few weeks old when, at the age of 19, he answered an inner patriotic call and joined the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps. Assigned to "A" Company at the East End, subsequently he served in "C" Company and finally "B" Company prior to going overseas with the 86-strong Second Contingent to the Lincolns.

Most had volunteered much earlier. They were unable to go overseas, because they were needed to be part of the necessary defence force in Bermuda.

As the War progressed favourably for the Allies, and the United States created the powerful Kindley Air Base, the presence of the Americans added vital strength to the defence of the Islands. So much so, that it became more feasible to allow more Bermudians to volunteer for services overseas.

Like his comrades in the Second Contingent, Freeman chose to remain in the infantry. On May 2, 1944 they were officially discharged from the BVRC and immediately joined the Lincolns.

They left Bermuda on May 5 for New York where they boarded another troopship for Britain.

They were unable to be part of the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944 because they required additional special training preparatory for the major battles ahead.

Even so, they did not have long to wait before going to France. They landed there on September 19, moving on to Holland where they became part of the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment.

Freeman and his comrades fought their way through some of the toughest battles of this state of the North West Europe Campaign. There were victories at Overloon and Venray in Holland.

With the Germans being driven back into Germany, the big Battle of Winnikendonk was next, the worst action from the standpoint of Bermudian casualties.

Freeman was cut down at Winnikendonk with a serious gunshot would to his right knee. Following a lengthy spell in hospital, on recovery he rejoined the Battalion in time for the final thrust that resulted in Germany's unconditional surrender on 10th May, 1945.

Like so many of us, Freeman had met and married an English bride, Monica Hastings of Middlesborough. When they first met, she was serving in the ATS, the women's branch of the British Army. They returned to Bermuda on 30th August, 1946. Freeman received his official discharge from the Lincolns on September 9.

In 1969, Freeman and Monica returned for a period to Britain. They settled in Glenrothes in Scotland where Freeman continued his career as a butcher. In the meantime their son, David in Bermuda, had started a service business which Freeman later joined, working with David until he retired.

A hallmark with Freeman was his personal appearance. He was always dressed immaculatel. I used to think, if we had had a competition for the best dressed member attending our BVRC reunions, he could have won it easily.

Just check the accompanying photograph. His cap is properly placed. The famed Lincolns sphinx bandage is shined to dazzling perfection. His neatly pressed battle dress jacket is entirely without a wrinkle.

Freeman was awarded the coveted 1939-1945 Star and the France and Germany stars among other well earned medals.

Edgar Ward, MM (Military Medal) and Freeman Cassidy were close friends. They served together in the BVRC in Bermuda, and overseas with the Lincolnshire Regiment. If only some of their frequent reminiscences could have been recorded, a substantial chapter could have been added to the history of Bermudians in military service during the War.

Edgar, of course, had the distinction of serving in both Wars. He was the youngest Bermudian in the First World War, and the oldest in the Second.

Edgar won the Military Medal in the 1914-1918 conflict in France for his Front Line bravery. It is an honour for a writer like me to be able to remember Edgar War at this time.

Though not a sports player, Freeman enjoyed a longtime loyalty to the Atlanta Braves. They seldom let him down and won something like 11 consecutive National League East Division Championships.

He was survived by Monica, his wife of 61 years. Also by their surviving children: David (Wendy), Sylvia Munro (Graham), Christopher (Penny) and Donna Lee Ventura (Reuben).

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren complete the family.

Shortly before submitting this tribute to the Editor, I received a telephone call from Sylvia to say that her mother had died. Monica left us peacefully, and will now be reunited with Freeman to share their 62nd wedding anniversary. We shall remember them with affection.

I want to conclude with some thoughts from the eulogy included in the order-of-service at Freeman's funeral on May 30, 2007 in historic old St. John's Church in Pembroke: "He was quiet and soft-spoken . . . He was the mediator, the one to bring everyone together to resolve differences . . ."

As the haunting notes of the "Last Post", played beautifully by the Bermuda Regiment bugler, faded into the afternoon, we remember Freeman as a brave soldier, an exemplary Bermudian, and a loving husband and father, for whom his family meant everything. He was a member of the BVRC Overseas Association and the Bermuda War Veterans Association.