WCA newsletter 161 August 2017

Fred Milward – D Day Hero
t is with great sadness that we record the passing of Wesield resident, Fred Milward. Fred
I was born in Ticehurst in 1924 but moved to Wesield in 1934 and remained here ever since.
Fred’s first job was as a baker’s delivery boy but in 1940 he joined the Wesield Home Guard
aged just 16. He wanted to join the RAF at 17 but as they wouldn’t take him unl he was 18, he
joined the Royal Sussex Regiment instead. Whilst in the Royal Sussex he volunteered for the
newly‐formed Parachute Regiment ‐ his family suggesng the double cigaree raon issued to
the Paras might have been a deciding factor!
On 6 June 1944, D‐Day, Fred was part of 9th Parachute Baalion who were dropped to
neutralise the German gun‐baery at Merville, Normandy, which threatened the invasion
beaches. The parachute drop was both traumac and dramac, with Fred being thrown out of
the aircra when a shell burst underneath. He hit the tail‐plane as he went but landed safely
and fought his way into the baery with his surviving colleagues. The operaon was successful,
but costly. Of the 155 men who went in, only 75 walked out – Fred amongst them. It was bier
hand‐to‐hand fighng but Fred’s war was far from over; on 26 July 1944 he was severely
wounded by a German shell which le him completely deaf in one ear and shrapnel wounds
down his right side. He spent the remainder of the war guarding and transporng POWs, his
wounds too serious for a return to the front line. Post‐war, he named his house ‘Merville’.
Aer the war he worked locally as a mechanic (Wesield & Brede
Garages) but retained an avid love of aeroplanes and aircra, flying
whenever he could. He also joined the RAFVR and commanded the
Hasngs ATC unit. In 2014 Wesield Parish Council presented Fred
with an illuminated scroll commemorang his D‐Day role (photo).
His wife, Connie, who had been the cashier at Archers, passed away
in 2010. We send our condolences to Richard, Wendy, the
grandchildren and family. He will be sadly missed. Andy Saunders
ROTARY CLUB of SENLAC *
JAZZ PICNIC 2017
At 90 Westfield Lane TN37 7NQ
Live Music - the Fabulous
EXCELSIOR VINTAGE JAZZ BAND
and return of THE VICTORY SISTERS
Sunday 27 August
Doors open 11.30am - Jazz 1.00 - 5.30 pm
‘It’s a Picnic’ - bring your own food & drink,
chair, rugs etc., sit in beautiful
surroundings by the lake and listen to a
Great Jazz Band and join in the “Brolly
Parade” or just dance
Tea, Coffee & Pimms available
Tickets: Pat Connor 90 Westfield Lane
0772 140 0558 01424 756990
£11 in advance, £13 on day Children free
Profits Hastings & Bexhill Junior
Rugby Club & Local Rotary Charities
*Registered Charity No. 1038586
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