Fred was born in Preston, Lancashire, the middle of three children, with an older sister, Olive, and a younger, Edna; his mother, Elizabeth, was a seamstress and his father, Joseph, a railway guardsman. He left school at the age of 14 to begin an apprenticeship as a plumber and builder. He was proud to have worked briefly alongside the famous ‘Preston Plumber’, the England international footballer, Tom Finney. He was introduced to music through his singing in the choir at St Luke’s Church and he learnt the piano. His spare time was otherwise filled with outdoor activities, often with the scouts, and he developed a life-long love of the Lake District (“God’s own country”). National Service was spent in the Royal Marines, a time he thoroughly enjoyed but chose not to extend, preferring to return to civilian life and a new training in public health. Fred met Enid at St Luke’s Church, where she also sang in the choir, and immediately set his heart on her. They married in 1958 and set up home in Deepdale, just a stone’s throw from the football ground where Fred played in the amateur league. Their first son, David, was born in 1964 and a second, Alan, joined them in 1967, but Fred soon became frustrated by career opportunities in the north west and decided to move the family south.
The young family moved to Maids Moreton in Buckinghamshire in 1968, and Fred became the local health inspector. The move to Woodstock followed two years later when Fred was appointed Public Health Inspector for Woodstock. Fred and Enid immediately fell in love with the area and threw themselves into local life, most notably at Bladon Parish Church. Fred loved singing and he soon began a long association with the choir at Bladon, later becoming Organist and Choirmaster. Many strong friendships developed through his involvement with the choir, and hugely enjoyable choir parties were fondly remembered. Fred was also a founder member of Woodstock Music Society and for a while he also ran the music at Woodstock Parish Church. A third son, Paul, was born in 1971.
In 1976 Fred was appointed Chief Environmental Health Officer of West Oxfordshire and the family moved to Upper Campsfield Road. ‘Oakdene’ was a modestly sized bungalow with plenty of surrounding ground and Fred added two significant extensions, undertaking much of the building work himself. Enid’s parents joined them and were accommodated in the newly built annex. In addition to his musical activities, Fred had also become a committed and enthusiastic member of the Marlborough Lodge and he was proud to serve as Worshipful Master. He also joined North Oxford Rotary Club and took on running the local scout group and coaching a boys’ football team. Members of the Rotary Club will remember Fred’s popular walking trips to the Lake District.
Fred loved a party and he loved to be at the centre of it. He filled his life with music, walking and companionship but nothing was more important to him than his family. Enid was a devoted wife who quietly made sure everything ran smoothly at home and his three sons will attest that he was always there for them when it mattered. A memorial service is being planned for the summer to celebrate the lives of Fred and Enid.