The Netherlands says thank you to local war hero Fred Jennings

The people of the Netherlands have thanked Lisburn man Mr Frederick (Fred) Jennings for his service during WW2 at a special presentation at the Ulster Aviation Society’s (UAS) base on the former RAF Long Kesh airfield outside Lisburn.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 22nd Oct 2020, 11:40 BST
Sqdn Ldr and Fred Jennings with Netherlands Defence Attache Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis of the Royal Netherlands Navy Defence Attache to the UKSqdn Ldr and Fred Jennings with Netherlands Defence Attache Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis of the Royal Netherlands Navy Defence Attache to the UK
Sqdn Ldr and Fred Jennings with Netherlands Defence Attache Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis of the Royal Netherlands Navy Defence Attache to the UK

The award of the Thank You Liberators 1945 Remembrance Medal was made to Fred, a stalwart and enthusiastic UAS volunteer in his 95th year, by the Netherlands Defence Attaché to the UK Captain G.H (Gerrit) Nijenhuis of the Royal Netherlands Navy.

In his address Captain Nijenhuis said that the award was “a token of sincere gratitude for the veterans who liberated the Netherlands in World War Two.”

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He said it was his wish, as a fellow aviator, to personally present the medal.

Netherlands Defence Attache to the UK Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis RNN pins Fred Jennings' Thank you Liberators 1945 Remembrance Medal above his existing medalsNetherlands Defence Attache to the UK Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis RNN pins Fred Jennings' Thank you Liberators 1945 Remembrance Medal above his existing medals
Netherlands Defence Attache to the UK Captain Gerrit Nijenhuis RNN pins Fred Jennings' Thank you Liberators 1945 Remembrance Medal above his existing medals

In addition to his work as curator of the UAS’ collection of aviation radio and radar artefacts Fred is also the Society’s librarian, with responsibility for over 6000 books. The personal gift Captain Nijenhuis’ chose was therefore fitting; a book of photographs depicting 85 years of Naval Aviation, selected from the Captain’s own collection.

After receiving his medal Fred gave an enthralling and detailed response from the heart describing his early service training and how, with his detailed knowledge of radio and radar navigation aids, he had been posted to work with Royal Air Force No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron which operated the B-25 Mitchell bomber.

Arriving at his new posting he recalled the gate guard questioning whether he was sure that he was in the right place as the squadron consisted almost entirely of Dutchmen. Fred fitted in very well with his new fellow servicemen and made several life-long friends during his time with the squadron.

In later years Fred was the Chief Telecommunications Officer at Belfast International Airport.

Related topics:SquadronNetherlandsLisburn