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A war hero involved in the iconic Dambusters raid is still doing his weekly food shop - at the remarkable age of 105.

Frederick Vinecombe, known as Fred, was part of a Lancaster bomber crew during the Second World War.

In 1944, he was gunned down over France before being captured and taken as a prisoner of war at Buchenwald concentration camp, near Weimar, in Germany.

The amazing veteran still has all of his own teeth, doesn't take any medication - and claims to feel just 25.

He now lives in Plymouth, Devon, where he's particularly fond of popping out to the shops. 




Frederick Vinecombe, known as Fred, was part of a Lancaster bomber crew during the Second World War. In 1944, he was gunned down over France before being captured and taken as a prisoner of war at Buchenwald concentration camp, near Weimar, in Germany





Fred also served in Bomber Command, which was responsible for organising the strategic bombing of Germany during WWII, including the legendary Dambusters raid in May 1943

His daughter Denise Williams, 67, said: 'He is just incredible for his age - he's in very good health.

'If I'm sat here, sometimes he'll say, "Have you got your car outside?" - and he'll say, "How about a trip, why don't we go down to the supermarket?". He's always up for that.'

In his youth, Fred also served in Bomber Command, which was responsible for organising the strategic bombing of Germany during WWII, including the Dambusters raid. 

The raid - officially known as Operation Chastise - has gone down in history as one of the war's most famous stories.




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Purpose-built 'bouncing bombs' were used to target dams in Germany in May 1943 - which then burst and caused catastrophic flooding in some parts.

A post-war film cemented the raid in the nation's popular consciousness - although it did claim more than 1,600 lives.

Fred credits his long life to his job as a tax collector, which he says has kept him active, along with behaving himself and eating a healthy diet.

He said: 'I kept out of trouble. I was doing a [tax] collection job. I worked until I was 80. We always had green stuff, the food was really good, nothing half-cooked.




War sites online show that Fred was in the crew of Lancaster KB727. It also confirms that the KB727 was shot down by a fighter reported to be a Junkers Ju88 in the early hours of the morning on July 5, 1944. (Above, stock image of a Lancaster Bomber)

'She [his wife] didn't seem to fry much, we had a good roast Sundays, and Monday we had a nice dinner.'

Fred, who was born in 1914, served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a flight sergeant during World War Two.

He was shot down over France during his six-and-a-half years in the air force, leading to his capture and time as a PoW.

After the war, Fred worked for a clothing club before being taken on by Batten Finance, based in Plymouth, at the age of 65.

He continued to work there until he was 80, when he was forced to retire as his eyesight had deteriorated.

He now lives at an assisted living facility and suffers from macular degeneration - a hereditary condition - which affects his sight.




After the war, Fred worked for a clothing club before being taken on by Batten Finance, based in Plymouth, at the age of 65. He continued to work there until he was 80, when he was forced to retire as his eyesight had deteriorated. (Above, Fred at his 104th birthday, in December 2018)





Pictured, US army troops liberate Buchenwald in 1945. Fred is believed to be the only surviving member of his Lancaster Bomber crew - and could be one of the oldest living members of Bomber Command

Denise said: 'He'd never wanted people to know too much that had gone on in the past, but as he's got older, I think he's quite enjoying it. People are coming up to him and talking about it.

'He's able to talk back - and it looks like he's enjoying it.'

Fred celebrated his 105th birthday on December 16 surrounded by family and friends and a military choir.

Denise said: 'He tapped his foot, whistling along with the songs and clapped between every break. He loved it.

'Then we had a birthday cake and he blew out the candles. All the residents were here. He had a really, really good day, but he was tired. He was in bed by 6.15pm. He's really well.

'There's been no difference in the last few years. He's still not on any medication, he's still independently living with assistance.'

War sites online show that Fred was in the crew of Lancaster KB727.

It also confirms that the KB727 was shot down by a fighter reported to be a Junkers Ju88 in the early hours of the morning on July 5, 1944.

It details how Fred and his colleagues were first held in the overcrowded Frenes Prison, described as  'a hideous place with even worse conditions'.

Fred is believed to be the only surviving member of the crew - and could be one of the oldest living members of Bomber Command. 

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