Lt Frederick Roberts "Bob" Freeborn, 57th Fd Sqn, Military Cross

Lt Bob Freeborn
Military Cross, EIIR
Bob Freeborn and wife Betty, Surrey England, 1966
Background 

Frederick Roberts "Bob" Freeborn was born and raised in Calgary, AB. His father, Major Switzer Gardner Freeborn, M.C. served in the Canadian Artillery during the First World War.

A veteran of the Second World War, Bob served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a chemical analyst before transferring to the Canadian Army Active Force in 1943 and training with the artillery like his father. He left the Army in 1946 and married Betty Ilott in Calgary. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree and was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Engineers in 1949. As well as serving in Korea he had posting to Chilliwack, the United Kingdom an Ottawa. He retired from Canadian Forces HQ in 1973.

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Robert "Bob" Freeborn died in Ottawa in 1974 and in interred in Brookfield Cemetery. His wife, Betty died in 2022. They had three children together. 

Citation 

Lieutenant Freeborn, Troop Officer, No.1 Troop, 57 Canadian Independent Field Squadron, Royal Canadian Engineers, between 5 and 9 November 1951, had the responsibility in planning, organizing and carrying out the laying of an anti-personnel minefield across and well in from the forward positions of 2nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment. From the first day Lieutenant Freeborn's mine laying party was subjected to continuous enemy mortar, small arms and automatic fire since the minefields were being laid during daylight hours under direct observation of the enemy. Because he expected this daily as a matter of course, this officer alternated the members of his party, but he himself personally supervised the minelaying throughout the operation. At one point, due to the incessant and accurate fire laid down by the enemy, it was necessary for the minelaying to be carried out from the prone position and to dig the required holes with entrenching tools. Lieutenant Freeborn's bravery, coolness in the face of heavy enemy interference and unending determination to complete the task was an inspiration to his men. This protective minefield system was completed due to his efforts in a minimum of time and played an important part in halting and delaying enemy thrusts, thus adding to the security of the Brigade position.