**Honouring a Life of Service: Swansea Farewells a 105-Year-Old Veteran**
The life of Fred Jeacock, a Second World War veteran and former RAF flight lieutenant, was celebrated in a moving ceremony at Swansea Crematorium this week. Fred, who lived to the remarkable age of 105, received a send-off described by his family as beyond anything they could ever have imagined.
A striking display of respect punctuated the day. Piper music accompanied the funeral cortege as it wound its way through the grounds, standard bearers presented their flags with solemn dignity, and a traditional guard of honour stood by. The poignant notes of the Last Post, played by a bugler, marked the end of the service, reminding those present of the sacrifices and service rendered by Fred and his generation.
Fred Jeacock’s story began in Surrey, where he was born before moving to Swansea at the onset of the Second World War. Enlisting in the Royal Air Force just six months before conflict erupted in 1939, he initially signed up as a flight mechanic. Bureaucratic delays, however, saw him quickly retrained as a barrage balloon operator—a job that took him to the heart of Swansea in 1940. It was here, while residing in a makeshift billet at a disused school in St Thomas, that he met Joan, the janitor’s granddaughter, who would later become his wife.
Jeacock’s RAF career was marked by rapid adaptation and courage under pressure. After completing an engine mechanic’s course, he transferred to aircrew duties, undergoing further specialist training at St Athan on both Halifax and Lancaster bombers. During the intense bombing campaigns over Germany, he was seconded to a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron, filling the void left by heavy casualties. Fred would later confide that some of the most difficult moments were spent waiting by the aircraft, anticipating the next perilous mission.
Tuesday’s funeral ceremony was attended by a cross-section of military and civic representatives, reflecting the esteem in which Fred was held. Reverend Canon Hugh Lervy, of All Saints Church in Mumbles, led the proceedings, while Fred’s grandson, Stephen, delivered a touching eulogy based on their heartfelt conversations during Fred’s final year. The congregation joined in singing ‘Abide With Me’, a hymn long associated with remembrance and reflection.
After the commemoration, friends and family gathered at the Swansea Dockers Sports and Social Club in St Thomas to share memories and pay tribute to a humble man whose life spanned more than a century of dramatic change in Wales and beyond. Fred’s youngest brother Ron, still sprightly at 98, was present alongside other relatives, as well as Air Commodore Rob Woods, representing the RAF’s senior ranks in Wales.
Those close to Fred remarked on his quiet nature and reluctance to embrace the label ‘hero’—despite his evident bravery. Swansea’s armed forces champion, Councillor Wendy Lewis, remembered him fondly, noting his reserved demeanour and incredulity at the admiration he attracted at public events like the Wales Airshow.
A period of civilian life followed Fred’s wartime service, during which he carved out a varied career, eventually working as a cable inspector at the Aluminium Wire and Cable Company in Port Tennant. He had a keen interest in motoring and remained a devoted family man, described by his son Alan as “marvellous” and dedicated.
Fred Jeacock drew his last breath on 23 April, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. As the tributes at his funeral made clear, the recognition he received was deeply heartfelt. Alan Jeacock expressed profound gratitude for the efforts of the City of Swansea RAF Association, the Royal British Legion, and others who ensured his father’s final farewell matched the respect his life had earned.
Reflecting on the day, Alan added: “I couldn’t have wished for a better send-off. It was something I never expected or dared to dream of.” With that, Swansea bade farewell to a cherished member of the community—an everyday hero whose story will not soon be forgotten.