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Fred Barber - Winton Senior School 1947-50

I left school, Easter 1950 with no qualifications and little prospects. I had six jobs in rapid succession from working in Monton Mill (cotton mill) to working at the Co-op Butchers. On my sixteenth birthday, I joined the army as a Boy soldier. I stayed in the army over 27 years and was promoted through the ranks to Major. I served in Japan, Korea, Malaya, Singapore and Germany. The photo at the right; Capt F.J. Barber serving in Germany 1970. I met Winton boys worldwide. The names that come to mind: Harold Barker - serving in the RASC (Royal Army Service Corp). We met in Korea. Jack Crompton - serving in the RAF (Royal Air Force). We met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. Now deceased. John Bolton - serving in the Royal Marines on HMS Belfast and HMS Bulwark. We met twice in Singapore. Bill Guinane - serving in the REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers). We met in Singapore. Les Bourne - serving in the RE (Royal Engineers). We met in Cove, Farnborough, England. Les was later killed in Aden in the mid-60's.

Etajima, Japan (on Landing Craft 1954) Back:     Walker, Riley Middle:  Wheeler, Fred Barber, Jeffries Bottom:  Davy, Ourone	Hiro, Japan  (February 1955) Back:   Davy, unknown, *Johnny Seagrave, unknown Front:   Jeffries, Fred Barber *Johnny Seagrave later became a well known horse racing jockey on the Northern tracks.

My best pal from 1H 1947 Allen Simpson is still in touch. We phone every week and I visit him a couple of times a year at his home in Chorley, Lancs and check out the old haunts! I have now settled in Farnham, Surrey. I have two sons and two daughters all grown up and live in the area.

Thanks Fred, that is a great profile. Thanks for sharing your success with us. Ernie

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