FLTLT · 417825

Frederick Matheson Feuerheerdt

Squadron/s: 457 SQN
Rank On Discharge/Death: Flight Lieutenant (FLTLT)
Nickname: Freddy
Mustering / Specialisation: Pilot
Date of Birth: 07 Feb 1923
Date of Enlistment: 18 Jul 1942
Contributing Author/s: By Phil Listemann, Steve McGregor and Lysle Roberts

Updated by Vince Conant June 2013

The Spitfire Association

Freddy was born on the 7/2/1923 in Unley South Australia. He enlisted in the RAAF on the 18/7/1942 and was a fresh graduate, posted from No 1 OTU

He served in Darwin in the 457 Squadron (Spitfires) and was a competent pilot. Popular with the men Freddy. His tour of duty expired in August 1944. He stayed in the RAAF for some time after the war and was discharged on the 8/4/1948.

In researching this brief story on Freddy we spoke with one of his wartime pilot comrades, J. Lysle Roberts. Lysle said, "Freddy sadly died from polio after the war and how ironic, after retiring from flying Spitfires and then succumbing to such an insidious disease. He did not deserve that." (See War Record attend)

Fred's file also details his hospitalisation in Tokyo November 1946 for acute Poliomyelitis – a sad end for a splendid young man.

Squadron in which Frederick served

457 SQN

Photographs

Top Row: L-R, Ian C. (Geoff) Chandler, Gilbert G. (Harpo) Marks, Christopher V. (Vince) Madigan, Ronald H. Bolton, Wilfred G. (Wally) Dial, Allen C. Beckwith, J. Lysle Roberts, Frederick M (Fred) Fuernhardt Middle Row: L-R, Frederick J. Inger, Kenneth D. McLeod, James H. (Jim) Greaves, Percy C. (Colin) Lambert, Bob Bawden, James E. (Jimmy) Summerton, Richard L.(Dick) Due, Trevor R. Russell, Angus A (Gus) Haynes, Alexander H. (Tex) Morton, Thomas F. (Frank) Payne, Albert L.(Smoky) Lumley Seated: L-R, James E. (Jim) Milne, Bob Addision, Arthur J. (Nat) Gould, Lloyd L. (Danny) Boardman, Thomas H. (Tommy) Trimble, Alfred (Alf) Glendinning, Southwood C. (South) Creagh, Unknown, Adjutant, Alfred V. (Noel) Ede, L. Allen Leeming

Fred is third from the end of bottom row, left-hand side.<br>
Roseworthy Agricultural College Adelaide — Fred is third from the end of bottom row, left-hand side.<br> Roseworthy Agricultural College Adelaide

Group portrait of 30 Course, 4 Initial Training School, Royal Australian Air Force, B Squadron, 14 Flight, held between July and September 1942 at Victor Harbor in SA. Identified, left to right, back row: F S W Dyer; F R Dickson; J G Geytenbeek; J L Grieve; D M Easterbrook; G O H Giles; 417833 Donald Charles Gundry ( later killed in action (KIA) on 25 July 1944 whilst serving with 463 Squadron, RAF); 417827 Graham Moseley Fowles (later killed accidentally in Finley, on 27 May 1943 whilst serving with 7 Service Flying Training School (7SFTS), Deniliquin); A C Evans; H O Gibson. Third row: D R Dinsdale; A Glassford; 417821 Harold Murray Earle (later KIA on 29 October 1944 whilst serving with 50 Squadron, RAF); 417831 Archie Oswald Gillett (later KIA on 4 July 1944 whilst serving with 463 Squadron, RAF); 417816 John Arthur Dietman (later KIA on 21 February 1944 whilst serving with 460 Squadron, RAF); 417817 Lloyd Draysey (later KIA on 6 November 1944 whilst serving with 57 Squadron, RAF); H A Grover; C E Fontaine; 427450 Ronald John Draffin (later KIA on 25 March 1944 whilst serving with 640 Squadron, RAF). Second row: J W L Dubois; E B England; 427459 Ronald David Gallagher (later KIA on 22 January 1944 whilst serving with 467 Squadron, RAF); 427457 Robert Ellis (later KIA on 14 December 1944 whilst serving with 458 Squadron, RAF); E A Eastman; W K Gertzel; 417826 Frank Edgar Fischer (later KIA on 29 July 1944 whilst serving with 463 Squadron, RAF); J N Griffin; J P Evans; C J Gage. Front row: 26355 Ronald Walter Ely (later KIA on 11 May 1944 whilst serving with 1654 Conversion Course, RAF); A R Ewens; D H DuBoulay; C R Gramp; 427451 Francis Richard Drake-Brockman (later KIA on 16 October 1943 whilst serving with 2 Squadron); Corporal W J F Strudwick (staff); B R Francis; F M Feuerheerdt; A A Gibson; 417818 Clifford Harris Drewer (later KIA on 24 June 1944 whilst serving with 7 Squadron, RAF); 417824 Albert Wilson Farrer (later KIA on 16 August 1944 whilst serving with 625 Squadron, RAF).