Description
The rare Military Medal group to Lance Corporal F. W. Fretwell, “B” Coy, 2nd Bn. West Yorkshire Regiment, who led a bayonet charge on the enemy position during the raid on Defeis, near Rabak, Sudan, for which he was originally recommended for the D.C.M.; he was killed in action in Libya the following year.
London Gazette 18 July 1941. – citation: The recommendation, originally for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, states:
‘Raid on J. Defeis [Sudan] on the 10 January 1941.
Lance-Corporal Fretwell was commanding a Section in the above raid. They were held up by machine-gun fire at close range, whereupon Lance-Corporal Fretwell dashed forward and silenced the gun with a grenade. On meeting further opposition, Lance-Corporal Fretwell led a bayonet charge on the enemy position, which put them to flight. Throughout the raid, this N.C.O. displayed great coolness and courage.’
Frederick William Fretwell was later killed in action on 5 June 1942 in Libya.
He was aged 27 years. Born in 1915, the son of Thomas Ernest and Johanna Fretwell, Esq., of Fairweather Green, Bradford, Yorkshire. He is buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya, Plot 11, Row H, Grave No 8.
He is Remembered with Honour at Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4534213 A/Cpl. F. W. Fretwell, W. York R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (4)
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