Mildinhall, Frederick – War hero received MBE from Queen Mother

Frederick Albert Mildinhall (1920-2016)

Frederick Mildinhall was born in St Pancras, London, in August 1920.

On leaving school at the age of 13, he trained as a butcher, then at 17 he joined the Royal Air Force.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Mr Mildinhall went to France as part of the 4 Squadron Lysanders.

With the advance of the Germany Army they had to retreat to Dunkirk and abandon their trucks, full of meals ready to serve up, miles outside the town, taking up positions on the back of their lorries and shooting at attacking Stuka bombers

He escaped back to Dover – half his squadron of men died when the ship next to his was blown up by attacking bombers.

He spent two years in the UK before he travelled by sea in March 1942 to Cape Town, South Africa, and then on to Cairo, Egypt, where he adapted the men’s rations by negotiating with the local people for fresh food in exchange for items such as blankets.

His luck continued when on a ship ready to go to Singapore the drive shaft broke so they couldn’t set sail, whereas the first and third ships did leave, only to be captured by the Japanese and imprisoned.

Mr Mildinhall left the RAF towards the end of the war, but re-enlisted in 1950.

He helped set up RAF Wildenrath in Germany, and while visiting Berlin he met Betty, who has working as NAAFI manager.

They married in March 1954 and then the family were stationed in Norfolk, Gibraltar, Scotland and Yorkshire.

The family moved to Belgium in 1968 and it was Mr Mildinhall’s service here which led to him to earn his MBE. It was presented by the Queen Mother, who was very interested to hear his story and kept others waiting in the queue.

It was through his work in charge of the NATO Supply Unit for the British Forces Post Office and went on to transform the facility.

Frederick’s final posting was to RAF Spitalgate, from where he retired in 1973, after 31 years’ service. Among his medals were the African Star, Italian Star and the Dunkirk Medal, which he wore with pride having lost so many friends and colleagues on that fateful day.

Work for the gas company and BMARC mail room, both in Grantham, followed.

He was a life member of the Dunkirk Association, a Probus club member and football referee up to minor league level in Scotland and in Gibraltar.

He died on Christmas Day, at his home in Premier Court, Grantham, aged 96.