Army veteran Fred Caldwell and his wife June first heard about Royal Star & Garter’s work after the war and became regular supporters. Sadly, Fred died in 2013 but June continues to mark his birthday with an annual donation to our charity

At the age of just twenty, and on his first major mission in the Second World War, Fred was dropped into enemy-occupied France as a member of the First Special Air Service (SAS) for Operation Houndsworth.

The mission’s objective was to disrupt German lines of communication and prevent the enemy from moving up to Normandy.

“We did this by means of ambush on the main convoy routes to the Front and the use of gun cotton charges and plastic explosives to blow railway lines,” Fred recalled many years later.

Although Fred’s service career was prolific and took him all over Europe, he spoke little of his wartime experiences, except on Remembrance Day when he recalled his fallen comrades. Fred spent seven years in the Army and always retained great affection and utmost respect for the Armed Forces.

After the war, Fred enjoyed a long and happy career with the Fire Brigade in Lancashire and in Hertfordshire.

We are so grateful to June for her continued kindness and generosity. Gifts in memory of a loved one help us ensure that veterans and their partners living with disability and dementia can get the care they so richly deserve.

To leave a gift in memory or find out more please visit us online:
https://starandgarter.org/how-you-can-help/other-ways-to-give/