Guard of honour in memory of Freda
Date published: 25 August 2009
Kelly Reece
THE family of an Oldham woman who served with Second World War ace fighter pilot Douglas Bader is holding a service of remembrance at Greenacres Congregational Church tomorrow.
Local military associations will form a guard of honour at the service for Freda Reece, which will be held at noon.
Mrs Reece, who was known as Kelly, and whose maiden name was Cocker, spent 12 months looking after war hero Bader after she lied about her age so she could join up.
She was only 15 when she was accepted into the forces after telling RAF officials she was 17.
Her son, Graham Anderson, who owns the shop Treble Darts and Trophies in Yorkshire Street, Oldham, explained: “She was one of 15 children. Her mother took her to the recruiting office because she didn’t want her to face life in the cotton mills.”
She was posted to RAF Brize Norton then transferred to RAF Coltishall, Norfolk, where she was assigned to help Bader, who was commander of 242 squadron.
That was before the war hero lost both legs at the age of 21 when his aircraft crashed as he attempted a slow roll at a very low level at Woodley airfield near Reading.
He was retired from the RAF on medical grounds, but rejoined when war broke out.
He was taken prisoner of war in 1941 after he was forced to bail out over German-occupied France, scaping in 1942 only to be recaptured and sent to Colditz.
Mr Anderson said: “My mother looked after both him and his billet, and said he was very very feisty and could be really awkward.
“She told me many stories about him.”
For her 70th birthday, the plucky pensioner took the controls of a light aircraft for the first time after her sons surprised her with a series of lessons.
And for her 80th birthday, she realised a long-held dream when friends clubbed together to send her to Paris where she climbed the Eiffel Tower.
Mrs Reece died in May at the age of 83. She left Oldham seven years ago to live near her other son, David, in Southampton.
Anyone who knew Mrs Reece is welcome to join the family at the service.
