I first met Freddie when we were 11 years old in our first year at St Clement Danes and although we were in different classes we got on pretty well, as he did with everyone. Freddie had no interest in Football so for sports lessons in the afternoon we would do different things however in the summer it was either Cricket or Track and Field and for someone that most of the year showed no interest in sports Freddie got involved in the field events with gusto being outstanding in our year at all the events. However he was magnificent at the Pole Vault showing in my opinion great courage to even attempt it let alone excel in it. The one day that sticks in my mind though is when he was doing a pole vault and the pole snapped half way up and Freddie came crashing down with a very loud thud! I was watching from only 10 yards away and I nearly fainted. He just got up and got another pole and went again!!! I would have been so traumatised I would have needed a month off school. That was Freddie, no fuss, just got on with it. I also remember well that our year 1971 was the last year that you could legally leave school at 15 and me, Freddie and another boy took full advantage of that. I know for sure that me and Freddie left school on the Friday and on the Monday after we had full time jobs. It’s no coincidence that both our fathers had passed away in our early years at Danes and we both wanted to get out and earn some money for our respective families. I suspect he never regretted that and we kept in touch a couple of times a year and it must be said that he turned out a lovely kind helpful man and I was proud to call him a friend. RIP Freddie, I’ll see you again one day I’m sure. ❤️❤️❤️