I have received the following from a firm of solicitors:
"We are very sorry to inform you that Fred Herzfeld passed away in July 2013 in Clapham, South London. We believe he served with the Royal Green Jackets. "
I well remember Fred from my time in 1 RGJ, love him or hate him he was a real charactor walking around like Matt Dillon as a member of 1 RGJ's own county sheriff's office. He was someone who you could almost guarantee would appear around the corner if you were up to any mischief. I still liked him though. RIP Fred
Always remember his tent at Ktima (Paphos) in 67, adorned with the stars and stripes and all things US of A. We all took the proverbial, but we all remember him RIP
Fred Herzfeld - you were a nutter of that there is no doubt! You threatened to shoot me when I climbed over the Back Gate of Minden Barracks in Penang, you ****ed your weapon at me and threatened to loose your Dog on me! We had great fun watching you join the Malay Police on their 'rounds' around Georgetown and you sort of 'popped' up in the strangest of places with them! We really loved it when you used to speak with an American Accent after mixing with the American Military Police Patrols in Berlin! You certainly had a thing about mixing with the Police!
well Fred old mucker,you're finally on parade! I remember with deep fondness how you used to shoot off to some Yankee base and return with all manner of american kit. You were certainly well thought of, and hope we meet up again on that celestial parade ground. Swift and bold mucker.
Oh Fred, what can I say? "Fred Herzfeld,US Army Recon, Berlin" ! Actually he was one of the Regimental Signallers in the RGJ, but he never let a simple thing like that get in his way!
For all his idiosyncrasies, Fred was an able soldier - always well turned out (but it was best to turn a blind eye to the fact that most of what he was wearing was "GI", but who am I to criticise, my best bit of winter gear was a US Parka). On exercises he would always have a good supply of Coke (the drinking kind), Hershey Bars, but always the required number of spare batteries for the A41.
Always wondered about Fred's family background, was it just the RGJ and the friends he made in the US Army?
Whatever the case, a true character has left us, way too young. RIP.
Fred told me that his sister was hitched to a yank and were based at the US base in Ruislip Middlesex,they had quarters in Uxbridge.Hands across the pond you might say, although invariably Fred's came back full! God bless him.