Captain F.C. "Freddie" Aston. DFC. TD.

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Lieutenant Freddie Aston, Glider Pilot Regiment in 1942.
In 1938 Freddie Aston joined the 153rd Light Anti-Aircraft Battery as a Territorial Officer.  The arrival of war the following year saw him sent to France with the British Expeditionary Force.  His experiences in 1940 in France were to become a foretaste of what he was to experience a few years later at Arnhem in September 1944.  He escaped back through German lines with fellow officer Tony Barber - later to become Chancellor of the Exchequer - on a purloined motorbike and arrived at Dunkirk, to be evacuated back to the UK.

Having recovered from Dunkirk, Aston found himself posted to Southwold on the Suffolk coast, commanding a small anti-aircraft battery.  The Suffolk/Norfolk coast was to become a life long love, but by 1942 he was bored and looking to do more for his country. His feelings coincided with a circular that was asking for volunteers for the Churchill's new project, the Glider Pilot Regiment.  He applied to join and was accepted.
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Hamilcars landing at Ranville on D-Day

Sicily 1943
Operation Turkey-Buzzard  

Involved as the Despatch Officer, Aston crewed a Horsa to North Africa after the main operation.  He was in Africa a short while before returning to the UK.


Arnhem September 1944
Operation Market

As Officer Commanding 7 Flight and part of the second lift on 18 September, Aston flew in with a 17 pdr gun and a Morris truck, all successfully landed.  The battle was hard fought and losses to the Glider pilot regiment were huge. Aston fortunately escaped by swimming across the Rhine - he was an excellent swimmer.

Normandy June 1944
Operation Mallard

Aston was part of the second lift bringing in a 17 Pdr anti-tank gun and Morris tractor.  The landing in the area of Ranville went successfully and as a  glider pilot, he was soon back to England , as like all glider pilots, job done, he was considered too valuable to risk on the front.

Rhine Crossing. March 1945
Operation Varsity

Another Hamilcar landing against fierce German anti-aircraft opposition.  The glider loss was high though Aston landed his 17 pdr and was in action against the German forces.
Aston's Logbook - Click here

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