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Son of Percy William Freemantle and Ada Blanche Cowen, of Matatiele, Griqualand, South Africa. Grew up at Makomerin trading station, on the Mafube River NW of Matatiele, Idyllic late Victorian and Edwardian childhood. Halcyon days. Family staunchly British and descended from 1820 settlers. One sister Doris (died 1984, buried in Matatiele). Father's local African name "Uzombini." Successful country trader but swindled out by a manager. Ronald Freemantle and his sister had governors and governesses at Makomerin and then later they attended school in Durban. Ronald went on to St. Aidan's in Grahamstown, a Catholic school. Family staunchly Catholic through mother, whose one brother a Roman catholic priest. Cowen family well known in SA. Ronald played rugby in Grahamstown at Rhodes University College, and wrenched knee badly, permanent injury. Played cricket Rhodes UC. Photo in Matatiele Museum. Late 1915 graduated BA in Grahamstown. Graduates not accepted into SA armed forces, so sailed for England. Enlisted in RFC. Wounded and leave in England. Killed, Posted "missing believed killed" Bloody April 1917. Mother dies of grief about 1926. Doris (only sister) may have left clues to the early life of her brother in articles she wrote under a pseudonym for "Matatiele Mail" in 1920s and 30s. She wrote a fine elegy for him, now lost and never published. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918 |
