WELL-known local man, Frederick Wright is celebrating his 90th Birthday today (Friday, January 13).

Frederick, known as Fred, was born in the East End of London at New Beckton, in the Royal Docks area of the city in 1927.

At the age of 12 years Fred was evacuated from London by bus on the day World War Two broke out. He was taken to Chelmsford where he stayed for three months until it was decided that it wasn’t safe enough.

He was then taken to Tiverton Junction and on to Stockleigh Pomeroy Men’s Club, which was manned by Girl Guides and Guide Leaders. A local farmer who wanted two boys to help on his farm at Lower Yedbury near Pennymoor chose Fred as one of them.

He stayed with Mr and Mrs Ford on their farm until 1943 and when they moved to a farm at Stockleigh Pomeroy they took Fred with them. He stayed on and worked at the farm where he met his wife Barbara nee Lovegrove. They married in St Mary’s Church at Stockleigh Pomeroy in 1950.

Fred and Barbara had four children, Michael, who passed away in 2006, Gillian, Beverley and Darren. Eight grandchildren, James, Alex, Wayne, Lisa, Craig, Brett, Harry and Sam and 10 great grandchildren Jaydan, Myiah, Evey, Zachary, Isabel, Hayden, Jacob, Isaac, Noah and Xander.

The couple stayed at Stockleigh Pomeroy at Elston Cottage until 1969 when they moved to Crediton.

They then moved to Shobrooke where they lived for five years before moving back to Crediton.

During his working life, Fred worked on the farm at Stockleigh Pomeroy until he got married and then joined his father-in-law in the building trade for a couple of years.

He worked at Dart & Francis for two years. He also worked at Lee’s Store, Bricknell’s Stores and Crediton Dairy before moving to Heathcoat’s Factory in Tiverton where he worked as a textile mechanic for 14 years.

He then moved on to Bradfords Building Supplies in Exeter where he worked until he retired in 1992.

Many people will remember him from when he worked as a verger at Exeter Crematorium and at the petrol station at Copplestone.

Since he retired he has worked all over Devon as a Pallbearer for undertakers including Andrew White & Sons of Crediton.

Barbara passed away in May last year and Fred misses her very much. They were married for 66 years and had been together for 70 years.

Fred hopes to mark his 90th birthday with a quiet celebration with his family.