Lord Mayor of Exeter meets World War Two veteran rescued by good Samaritan

Published: 25 June 2021

A good Samaritan in Exeter has been praised after going to the aid of a former World War Two pilot whose motorised buggy broke down whilst out shopping.

The kind-hearted individual jumped out of his car and helped push World War Two veteran Fred Hill back to the care home where he lives, after his buggy ran out of charge at the Magdalen Road traffic lights.

Now staff at The Lodge Care Home are keen to thank the good Samaritan. Meanwhile Exeter Lord Mayor Cllr Trish Oliver popped in to The Lodge today (Friday) to wish Fred well and meet the staff.

Debbie Skinner, General Manager at The Lodge, said: “I want to say a massive thank you to a person that I’ve never met and whose name I don’t know. Without this man’s help, Fred’s return to us would have been far more torturous!”

Fred’s trip to nearby Waitrose didn’t go quite to plan but then again he’s been in far worse scrapes in his life.

Fred, who turns 100 in October, is one of the last survivors of Bomber Command and flew Hampdens, Wellingtons and Mosquitoes during the campaign.

Such was Fred’s success as a night pilot and flying generally, he was mentioned in despatches for his work as a flying instructor. At the time, if you didn’t manage to fly solo after 12 hours you were rejected and Fred managed it in 11.5 hours! The plane that Fred was flying at this point was a bi plane.

All in all, Fred flew two tours of duty, the last completing in May 1945. He still has all his log books and medals - Distinguished Flying Cross, Bomber Command, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal and the Oak Leaf.

Last word goes to Debbie, who said: “Thank you, whoever you were on that day, from everyone at The Lodge, we are very grateful.”

If you know who this good Samaritan is, please contact the Lord Mayor’s Office, please at mayoralty@exeter.gov.uk or by telephone 01392 277888.