Alfie Fripp facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred George Fripp
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| Nickname(s) | Alfie, or Bill |
| Born | 13 June 1914 England |
| Died | 3 January 2013 (aged 98) Bournemouth, Dorset, England |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1930–1969 |
| Rank | Squadron leader |
| Service number | 565033 |
| Unit | No. 57 Squadron RAF |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Spouse(s) |
Vera Violet Allen
(m. 1939) |
| Relations | Robert Fripp (nephew) |
| Other work | Laboratory at Brockenhurst College |
Alfred George Fripp (born June 13, 1914 – died January 3, 2013) was a brave British Royal Air Force officer. People called him "Alfie" or "Bill." He was a flight sergeant during World War II. In 1939, a German plane shot down his aircraft. He then became a prisoner of war (POW). Alfie was held in 12 different prison camps. One of these was Stalag Luft III, famous for the "Great Escape." He was the last of the "39ers." This means he was one of the last prisoners captured in the first year of the war. He was also the oldest and longest-serving British POW.
Contents
Early Life of Alfie Fripp
Alfie Fripp was born in Alverstoke, Hampshire, England. This happened on June 13, 1914. He grew up in a town called Wimborne in Dorset, England.
Joining the Royal Air Force
Alfie's father was in the Royal Marines. From age 12, Alfie wanted to join the Royal Navy. He hoped to become an artificer apprentice. This job involves working with machines and tools. However, he was too short for the Navy's rules.
When he found out the Royal Air Force (RAF) accepted apprentices of all heights, he tried there. He took an exam to become an electrical apprentice. Alfie joined the RAF on September 30, 1930. He trained at RAF Halton. In 1932, he started training to be a wireless operator. This means he learned to use radios for communication.
In 1939, he joined No. 57 Squadron RAF. Just three days after World War II started, Alfie married Vera Violet Allen. This was right before his squadron was sent to duty.
Alfie Fripp as a Prisoner of War
On October 13, 1939, Alfie was on a mission. He was an observer in a Bristol Blenheim aircraft. A German plane, from the Luftwaffe, shot at his aircraft. It was forced to land in Germany. Alfie and the pilot, Mike Casey, were captured. Another crew member, J Nelson, was also captured. They all had some bruises and scrapes.
From 1939 until 1945, Alfie was a prisoner of war. On October 25, he wrote a letter to his wife. He was at a camp called Stalag VII-A in Moosburg, Germany. Alfie told his wife he was well. He even joked that Germany might be a nice place for their honeymoon.
He and six other airmen got to record short Christmas messages. These were broadcast on the radio from Berlin. Alfie sent greetings to his mother. He told his wife, "Although I shall not be at home with you in person, I shall be with you in spirit." His wife was staying at his mother's house in Wimborne.
Life in Stalag Luft III
Alfie was held at Stalag Luft III. This camp became famous for a big escape attempt. It happened in March 1944. A movie called The Great Escape (1963) was made about it.
Before the escape, Alfie helped by collecting parcels from the Red Cross. Some of these parcels secretly contained maps and tools. These tools included steel files and wire cutters. They were used to dig tunnels for the escape. Alfie was moved to another camp two months before the escape happened.
His pilot, Mike Casey, did escape from Stalag Luft III. But he was caught again. Sadly, he was killed along with 49 other escaped prisoners. This happened because Adolf Hitler ordered it.
Other Prison Camps and The Long March
Alfie was held in 11 other prison camps. In many of these camps, he worked as a representative for the Red Cross. This meant he helped other prisoners.
At the end of the war, German forces were retreating. Alfie and other POWs were forced to march. This was called "The Long March." They walked from Poland to Germany. This happened as the Soviet Army moved closer.
Alfie continued to serve in the RAF until 1969. He reached the rank of Squadron leader.
In 2009, Alfie returned to Stalag Luft III. He and others remembered their friends who had died. He said, "I'm glad I came to remember Mike. You think back on all the memories and the people you knew. As for the Germans, I’ve forgiven them but not forgotten."
Life After the RAF
After leaving the RAF, Alfie moved to Bournemouth, Dorset. He started working at Brockenhurst College. He supervised the science laboratory there. He worked for ten years. He retired when he was 65 years old.
Alfie Fripp's Family Life
Alfie Fripp and his wife Vera had two daughters. He also became a grandfather and a great-grandfather.
His nephew, Robert Fripp, is a famous guitarist. He helped start the band King Crimson.
Death of Alfie Fripp
Alfie Fripp died in a hospital in Bournemouth. This was on January 3, 2013. He was 98 years old. He was the oldest surviving British prisoner of war from World War II. His wife had passed away earlier, at age 84.
BBC Radio 2 broadcast a tribute to Alfie. It ended with the song "Heroes" by David Bowie. This song features guitar playing by Alfie's nephew, Robert Fripp. In the radio show, Robert shared recorded interviews with his "Uncle Bill."
See Also
- Paul Brickhill
- Roger Bushell
Images for kids
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Alfie Fripp as a baby
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Alfie Fripp with his parents
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Tunnel Harry is now a memorial, which is marked stones naming prisoners who escaped and were murdered in a war crime ordered by Hitler.
