Tributes to Cornish D-Day veteran after bike crash
A pensioner who died when his motorcycle collided with a signpost had been involved in some of the pivotal battles of the Second World War.
Frederick Pengilly, known as Fred, was riding a small Aprillia motorbike near Redruth School on September 11, when it is thought he lost control, left the road and mounted a grass verge.
-
D-Day paratrooper Fred Pengilly also took part in Operation Varsity
The 92-year-old, who was born in the United States, hit a signpost during the accident. Though conscious when emergency services arrived on the scene, he died at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro five days later.
His family said he was a proud former member of the Parachute Regiment who took part in the D-Day landings. He was also part of Operation Varsity, a joint British and American deployment in March 1945, which saw the largest airborne assault on the enemy in one day.
BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC 1.0 ECOBOOST FOR ONLY £7685*
View details
DRIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC FOR ONLY £7685.
1.0 100PS Manual
WITH:
Electric Windows & Mirrors
Quickclear Heated Windscreen
15" Alloy Wheels
Bluetooth with Ford Sync
Fog Lights
Terms:
*Drive away from only £7685 and then pay nothing for 24 months!
4.9% APR
Conditions Apply
Contact: 01626 240583
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Mr Pengilly was an active member of the Royal British Legion in Redruth, where he lived. In a statement, his family said: "Frederick (Fred) Pengilly was a member of the Parachute Regiment during World War Two. He parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and Op Varsity.
"He was an active member of Redruth Royal British Legion post-war and was the Redruth Parade Marshall for many years."
Fred was born in Arizona, in 1920, of Cornish parents, and joined the Army in 1937. His wife, Lilian, died in 2010 and he is survived by four sons and a daughter.
Comments