The RAF Association is inviting the public to send birthday cards to a Second World War RAF veteran to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Jim Freer joined the RAF aged 19 in 1944 as a Flight Engineer. He was then posted to 429 (Royal Canadian Air Force) Squadron at RAF Leeming as a Flying Officer. The squadron, known as ‘The Bisons’, flew Halifax Mk IIIs and was one of many squadrons of the RCAF based in England during the war.
Jim, who now lives in Newstone House Care Home in Sturminster Newton, Dorset, flew over 30 operational missions with ‘The Bisons’, including several in support of D-Day.
Following this, he was redeployed to fly Avro York aircraft in India to expedite the receipt and delivery of mail between the UK and the subcontinent.
As well as receiving several WWII service medals, Jim was also awarded the Legion D’honneur, France’s highest and most prestigious order of merit, and the WWII Bomber Command medal for his service.
After being demobbed, Jim took up an engineering apprenticeship and embarked on a career in production engineering. He worked in various drawing and design offices, most notably with Cobhams in Poole and retired as a production director.
Jim will be celebrating his birthday on 16 April at his care home with his wife Valerie, friends and staff.
Tony Dee, Chair of the RAF Association’s Sturminster/Gill Branch, said:
“We are immensely proud to have such a distinguished veteran amongst us on such a memorable occasion. One can only marvel at the extraordinary courage shown by Jim, a mere teenager at the time, who endured 33 operational missions over Europe. Jim, we all salute you on your special day.”
Cards can be sent to:
Newstone House Care Home
Stourcastle
Sturminster Newton
Dorset
DT10 1FF
