Fred I. Wass. Hairdresser and Tobacconist.
Frederick Inward Wass was born in 1912. He started work on a Saturday as a lather boy for Bobby Keyes when he was 12. at 14, on leaving school, he went to Beaumonts in Colchester for three years as an 'improver.
In March 1930, with the aid of his parents, he opened his own shop in Mill Road. Hair Cut 6d Shaving 3d.
He spent six years in the army; first in the Essex Regiment and then he transferred to the 6th Airborne (Ox and Bucks Gliders). He landed on D-day (6 June 1944) on the Caen Canal, now known as Pegasus Bridge.
He was wounded on June 9th but returned to his regiment in August and saw action in the Ardennes. On 24 Mar 1945 the 6th Airborne dropped over the Rhine. Fred's glider was shot down and he was wounded for a second time.
In February 1946, he returned to re-open the shop where he continued to work until December 1976 with Hair Cuts at 50p.
[Caption is from the 2010 Museum display].