Fred died on 7 February 2006, aged almost 84 years.
He enlisted on 4 June 1940 at St Alban’s into the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment, transferring to the RAC in November 1941 and doing his training with 54 Trg Regt. He was posted to 50 RTR in January 1943 and joined them in the Middle East.
He was discharged in March 1947. He re-enlisted on 19 March 1947 at St Alban’s and was posted to the RAC Depot.
He joined The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars in June 1950, joining ‘B’ Squadron. He was one of the few Irishman in the Regiment.
He sailed with them to Korea on 11 October 1950, disembarking at Pusan on 14 November 1950. He remained with the Regiment and sailed with them to Liverpool on 15 December 1951, landing on 15 January 1952.
He moved to Luneburg with the Regiment on 21 March 1952 and was promoted to Corporal on 1 April 1952. He reverted to Trooper on 28 March 1953.
In December 1953 he was posted to the Yorkshire Hussars, remaining with them until February 1956. He was appointed L/Cpl on 16 April 1956 and reverted to Trooper on 14 November 1956.
He was posted to HQ 4 Division in January 1957 as an L/Cpl, returning to the 8H in June 1957. He was again promoted to Cpl in November 1957.
He became a Queen’s Royal Irish Hussar on the amalgamation on 24 October 1958. He was posted to HQ RAC 3 Div Tidworth in April 1960.
He married Christa on 4 August 1960 and adopted her son Thomas on 14th July 1962.
He was re-allocated to the 11th Hussars in June 1962. He was released in March 1964.
He had been granted the 1939/45 Star, The African Star with 8th Army Clasp, The Italy Star, the Defence and Victory Medals, The Korean Medal and the UN Korea Medal.
Fred also had a child from his first marriage, Patricia and two further children with Christa, Janet and John. He had 11 grandchildren.
Fred’s passions were varied, he enjoyed socialising and a good drink and was often found dotting numbers on his pad on many a bingo night. Fred had the luck of the Irish when it came to fishing and became a demon angler, particularly fly-fishing in the pursuit of trout.
This passion was passed onto his youngest son, John, who partnered with him on nearly every occasion. His finest hour came when he caught a monster 10lb 6oz rainbow trout in the summer of 1982 and to this day still stands as the record for that particular lake.
He enjoyed his garden but in particular rearing his chickens. Half the garden resembled a farm yard which Fred greatly enjoyed.
His involvement in the modern world was brief and preferred old-school methods. If there was a way of doing things the old-fashioned way then that is what he did. His transport only varied from VW Beetles to Morris Minors which he loved and personalised in a way only Fred could.
Towards his later years, Fred mellowed enormously becoming a real favourite with his grandchildren who loved him dearly, despite being locked in the garden shed.
Fred also enjoyed the local second-hand shops picking up many a bargain and was quite possibly, the only person you would know, who would take his cheque book to a jumble sale!
After his retirement from full-time work, Fred worked as a doorman at Rolls Royce’s local club enjoying more bingo at the end of this shift!
He had a varied career. He was well-liked and respected by all who knew him.
He joined The Regimental Association in August 2000.
