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A veteran interview with

Fred Bailey

Fred Bailey was a Wireless Operator for Jedburgh team, ‘Citroen’. He was parachuted into occupied France soon after D-Day and shares his fascinating story.

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About Fred Bailey

On his 18th birthday in 1943, Fred Bailey joined up with the Royal Armoured Corps and passed out as a radio operator gunner. After a short stint in the 13th Battalion of the Green Howards, he volunteered for a Balkans mission with the Jedburghs which first required him to learn the art of parachute jumping.

Fred’s memories bring vividly to life what it was like to operate amongst occupying forces, and how difficult it could be to keep the different groups of resistance fighters working together. He also shares eye-opening details of the parachute jumps he undertook, including one that dropped him from 1,000 meters higher than planned!

After France, the Jedburghs became part of Force 136 and headed to Burma where the action became altogether more intense, and Fred talks about the difficulties of operating in the jungle. Finally, he reflects on the strong bond that formed between the Jeds: a fitting way to end a fascinating interview about a remarkable time.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Martyn Cox
Reviewed by:
Caroline Barratt

Copyright:
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Home | Veterans | Fred Bailey

A veteran interview with

Fred Bailey

Fred-Bailey-Still

Fred Bailey was a Wireless Operator for Jedburgh team, ‘Citroen’. He was parachuted into occupied France soon after D-Day and shares his fascinating story.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Bailey, Fred. A Veteran Interview with Fred Bailey. Interview by Martyn Cox. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/fred-bailey/. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
APA Style:
Bailey, F. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Fred Bailey [Interview by Martyn Cox]. Legasee. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/fred-bailey/
Chicago Style:
Bailey, Fred. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Fred Bailey. Interview by Martyn Cox. Legasee. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/fred-bailey/
Harvard Style:
Bailey, F. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Fred Bailey. [Interviewed by Martyn Cox]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/fred-bailey/ (Accessed: 17 May 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Bailey, F. A Veteran Interview with Fred Bailey [Internet]. Interview by M. Cox. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2025 May 17]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/fred-bailey/
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