Fred died on 8 June 2011 aged almost 91 years.
He enlisted on 14 November 1940 into The North Staffordshire Regiment.
He transferred to the RAC on 3 June 1941 and did his training with 60 Training Regiment RAC at Tidworth, staying with them until 4 January 1942 when he joined a draft to the Middle East, joining The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars on 9 March 1942.
He took part in the Desert Battles from Bir Hacheim to Alamein, before moving with the Regiment to Cyprus on 31 December 1942, returning to Cyrenaica on 21 June 1943.
On 13 November 1943, he sailed with the Regiment to the UK, landing on 8 December 1943. The Regiment then re-assembled at West Tofts Camp, Norfolk for pre-invasion training. His Majesty, King George VI visited the Regiment on 14 February 1944.
He sailed with the Regiment, less ‘C’ Sqn on 8 June 1944 (D+2) to the Normandy Beaches. He was wounded on 20 August 1944 near Livarot and was evacuated to the UK, returning on 10 June 1945.
He returned to the UK for release on 19 September 1945, being released on 17 October 1945 to the Reserve.
He was awarded The Africa Star with 8th Army Clasp, The 1939/45 Star, The France and Germany Star and The Defence and War Medals.
He was hard-working, reliable and trustworthy, a very good driver with mechanical knowledge.
In civilian life, he took up his trade as a joiner, then became a foreman in Stoke on Trent City Works, and his final job, before retiring, was as a Maintenance Inspector.
