A Life Fondly Remembered

1923 - 2005

Born in Desborough, Charles was still a child when the Freer family moved to Market Harborough. Charles grew up with his two brothers, Fred and Sid, two guys who were definitely not to be messed with - then and throughout their lives.

Like most boys, Charles's first mode of transport was the bicycle. He pedalled bikes in a variety of roles - butcher boy, delivery boy, apprentice carpenter, tradesman - sometimes biking to Leicester. There were incidents, and accidents, galore when he progressed to the next stage - motor bikes. Four, or more, wheels followed and Charles drove a variety of lorries over the years.

During the war, Charles was to get to grips with the controls of a fearsome vehicle that was vastly different to anything he had driven before. Now in the Leicestershire Yeomanry, joining his brothers, Charles became the driver of a Sherman tank, taking part in the liberation of Europe from shortly after D-Day. As true brothers, they served alongside and looked after each other, often in the face of grave danger. Just after the end of the war, in 1946, Charles's life entered a phase which was to continue for nearly sixty years. Romance was in the air when he was stationed at Hoosum in Germany, and Charles was swept off his feet when he met and fell in love with Velta, a lovely, young Latvian girl. When he was demobilised, Charles returned  to his home in School Lane, with Mother, Fred and Sid. He soon arranged for Velta to come to England and within a couple of months they were married.

Charles and the most fearsome vehicle he drove - a Sherman tank.

Back in Civvy Street, Charles's other romance - with motor vehicles - continued  with no let up. He drove coaches for Adams on seaside excursions and lumber wagons for Hickmans. Charles then worked for Reedmans building houses in the town and surrounding villages. After that he was employed by Twynhams in Fairfield Road coach building horseboxes and cattle wagons, craftsmanship of which he was justly proud.

Meanwhile, Velta and Charles lived in Connaught Road, where I was born, and then into a prefab in Fernie Road, where they were to spend almost 15 happy years, during which time Peter was born. Eventually they moved to their home in Coventry Road.

Having bought his first car, Charles started his own business as a carpenter and joiner. He could build or make anything in wood, in fact, his trade was his hobby and a big part of his life. He acquired his own workshop and yard in Nelson Street which soon became a point of call for many people when they saw his van outside. The kettle would go on and the chat would begin. Tea was important to Charles and there were people all around the town where he would be welcomed for a cuppa at most times of the day. This satisfied his community spirit, as did his readiness to lend a hand, to chip in and help - very often unpaid.

Peter joined the firm in 1975 and a lot of Charles rubbed off onto him. Although not always harmonious in their working relationship, they provided a trustworthy and honest service to their numerous loyal customers – anything from building work to repairing a chair. Happily, Peter maintains that tradition.

The workshop (probably one of the last real tradesman's yards in the town) contained vast stocks of interesting and sometimes useless items that Charles had hived away. “I’ll find a use for that some day” he’d say – even in his last few weeks he was looking out things he had “saved” at home to build yet another extension to his conservatory – “I’ll get round to that when my legs get better”. 

Charles served as a loyal member of the British Legion for 50 years and he was passionate about its ideals. He regularly attended meetings and relished the comradeship he found. He had always been active as a distributor and collector for the Poppy Appeal, dedication which was recognised with the award of the long-service certificate. Proud of his many cars and vans, Charles always took great care to keep them neat, tidy and clean. Due to his failing health he reluctantly had to give up driving his car so he swapped it for his final vehicle, a smart red buggy. True to form, he wanted to know if I could get a bit more speed out of it - possibly so that he could decorate it with 'Go Faster' stripes!

In 2003, with Jan Tooley, Council Chairlady, bemedalled and, as always, dapper and smartly-dressed, Charles displays his Long Service Certificate.

Charles loved life, he needed company, and he had to share - at work, with his pals – chatting and telling stories. His Faith was based on knowing God as his carer and protector – a faith so strong it could bring tears to his eyes.