Fred Fossitt

Fred Fossitt was interviewed by the Lincolnshire Standard Newspaper in 1968 upon the release of David Lampe's book, “The Last Ditch” reporting him to be a well known local personality. Among other things he was the Secretary for the Forces Benevolent Fund. He was called up to the Army in August 1941 but knowing his Auxiliary Units roll was too important he knew he would be returned home very quickly.

Keen to give their Secretary a good send off the Forces Benevolent Fund proceeded to organise a collection and a big dinner dance with Fossitt (despite his protests) as the guest of honour and scores of people wishing him well.
Within four days he was returned home and apparently a civilian again. “It was all very embarrassing” he commented, “I gave the money to the Red Cross but it was a long time before I got over the feeling of being a fraud for taking it when I knew all the time I would not have been kept in the Army. Still I could not tell anybody how I felt.”

A day came in 1944 when two letters arrived. One for Company Sergeant Major Fossitt which contained his Auxiliary stand down letter and another for Private Fossitt containing his long deferred Army call up.

Fossitt saw service in Palestine with the explosives section of the Ordnance Corps.

He returned to work at Baxter and Guion Ltd, a agricultural produce firm, later becoming a director. He always played an active part in the community of Kirton.