'God rest you, Fred': Tributes paid after sad passing of Lincolnshire's last surviving Burma Star veteran aged 100

Mr Conway, known fondly as Fred, proudly served his country during the Second World War and was widely admired across the community. Even in his later years he remained determined that the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom would never be forgotten.

In a moving interview on Remembrance Day last November, aged 100, he shared words which now stand as part of his lasting legacy.

He said: “Only the younger generation can learn from the history of the past.”

Those powerful words reflected his lifelong belief that remembrance was not only about honouring those who served, but about teaching future generations the value of peace, duty and resilience.

2025 had been a milestone year for Alfred Conway – celebrating his own centenary, joining commemorations for the the 80th anniversary of VE Day and shaking hands with His Royal Highness King Charles when he and his travelled to the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire to mark VJ Day.

Once again, he and his family attended the launch of the Lincolnshire Poppy Appeal at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre in East Kirkby, he was a VIP guest at the unveiling of the 2025 Poppy Display in Skegness – and on Remembrance Day he attended the memorial in Alford. where his great-grandchildren Sarah Jayne, 15, and James Carpenter, 14, proudly lay a wreath on his behalf.

After the Remembrance Day ceremony, he described his wartime service as fighting for his country and freedom.

"Life on the whole is what you make it and I have no regrets,” said Alfred, who lived in Anderby Creek with his daughter Josie and son-in-law, Andrew Pretty, and his great-grandchildren

"I cannot change anything – only the younger generation can learn from the history of the past as they will shape the future going forward.

"What ever the future holds I know that I am well supported and loved.” Paying tribute, Skegness Royal British Legion branch chairman Kevin Woolley said: “It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Lincolnshire’s last remaining Burma Star veteran, Fred Conway — a true gentleman whom I had the privilege of speaking with on many occasions.

“The Skegness Royal British Legion extends its deepest condolences to Fred’s family.”

Mr Woolley said Burma veterans were often known as the “Forgotten Army”, despite the 14th Army being the largest force assembled during the Second World War, with more than a million men from over 20 countries.

From December 1941 to September 1945, they fought in some of the harshest conditions imaginable, facing dense jungle, relentless monsoons, disease, mudslides and constant danger.

He added: “As we mourn the passing of Fred, we also turn a page of living history. One of our last links to that remarkable generation has gone to join his comrades.

“God rest you, Fred. We will never forget.”

Last year, Mr Conway joined members of the community on Remembrance Day to salute the brave and honour fallen comrades, his presence serving as a poignant reminder of the debt owed to his generation.

The passing of Alfred Conway marks the end of an era, but his message and example will endure.

He will be remembered with gratitude, respect and affection by all who knew him and by a community proud to have called him one of its own.

“When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Lest we forget.