A WELL attended thanksgiving service for Frederick Leon Thomas Wade, of Royal Wootton Bassett, who has died aged 96, took place at St Bartholomew’s & All Saints’ Church, where he was a regular worshipper and had many friends.

Mr Wade’s daughter, Jackie Blake, spoke warmly of his many achievements and his expertise with clocks and watches.

Fred was a Londoner, born in Islington in November 1919, and was the second of five children whose father drove a horse-drawn mail coach. They all went to school in Clerkenwell, where Fred began his illustrious career as a 14 year old school leaver, when he joined a local company, British Time Recorders, initially to make the tea and sweep the floor of the workshop.

By 1939 he had progressed to be a maintenance engineer, servicing clocks of many companies in and around London. This was a reserved occupation, which might not be conscripted. One night, as a volunteer firewatcher, he noticed a glow through a church window, investigated and found a smouldering incendiary bomb on the tiled floor. Fred picked it up and threw it outside, where it exploded. The church was saved, but scorch marks remained on the floor.

In 1942, Fred enlisted in the REME, then a new regiment, and after months of training became a qualified armourer. He had embarkation leave six weeks after the arrival of Jackie, who was born during an aid raid. He was surprised to be sent across the Atlantic, to Nova Scotia and then via Florida to Jamaica, where he spent three and a half years while his wife and child were in London, enduring the blitz. Mrs Blake said that when he returned in 1947, she recognised him, as her mother had shown her his photograph every day.

Fred and the love of his life, Nancy, who met at a dance, and were wed for 67 years, enjoyed many years of ballroom dancing together. Nancy’s death affected Fred greatly, but he never lost his enthusiasm for demonstrating dance steps and encouraging others to join in.

Fred worked for over 50 years at Blick International Time Recorders, and before he retired at 65, he travelled widely on company business, twice to Japan, and many times to Europe, especially to Germany. His skill was widely respected. After retirement he set up his own business, repairing antique clocks. He was very proud at being made a craft member of the British Horological Institute. His work included church tower clocks, stable clocks, long-case clocks and clocks in Lydiard House. He also valued his Masonic membership of the George, Duke of Kent Lodge.

He often recalled an incident in Wootton Bassett High Street, where he was contracted to maintain the large clock over the former Midland Bank. Fred, concerned about the state of the clock casing, was inspecting it through binoculars when a passer-by, aiming to be helpful, told him the time. Fred remained intent on his observation. The person then told him again and remarked, “Deaf as well as blind!”

Fred gained much joy from his family, including grandchildren Elizabeth and Kenneth. and four great-grandchildren. Mrs Blake said, “The little girls’ achievements and hilarious things they would say, gave him enormous pleasure; the boys’ prowess at rugby, and opportunities gained through their dedication on the games field brought him infinite satisfaction.”

The service, conducted by the Rev Bob Kenway, ended appropriately with the hymn We are dancing in the light of God.

More reminiscences and refreshments were shared later at Marsh Farm Hotel. Memorial donations for Brighter Futures (the Stroke Unit) may be sent c/o Maslin Funeral Service, 118a High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AU.