The Airmen's Stories - P/O C G Frizell

When the names of the airmen to be commemorated on the monument were compiled (by nationality) it was thought that Frizell was Canadian, however it has since been discovered that he was British, born in London, the Canadian connection resulted from his emigrating there in 1946.

Charles George Frizell was born on 3rd October 1921 in London and joined the RAF on a short service commission in August 1939. After completing his training he was posted to 257 Squadron at its reformation at Hendon on 17th May 1940. He then had only four hours experience on Spitfires.

On 15th August his Hurricane, L1703, caught fire during a routine patrol. Frizell baled out, unhurt, and the aircraft crashed at Watford Way, Edgware.

On 15th September he was seriously injured in an accident at Martlesham Heath, when S/Ldr. RRS Tuck drove into the back of his car. Frizell was in hospital for three months.

In 1941 he instructed at 10 FTS Tern Hill, FTS Cranwell and 8 FTS Montrose. Frizell returned to operations in March 1942, joining 91 Squadron at Hawkinge. In June he moved to 124 Squadron at Eastchurch, staying with it until November. In December 1942 he went to 152 Squadron at Souk-el-Arba, Tunisia. He damaged a Me109 on 11th April 1943.

In June 1943 Frizell was posted to command 1676 Fighter Defence Flight at Gibraltar, carrying out long-range Atlantic shipping patrols. He was instructing and carrying out liaison duties in America in 1944 and in 1945 was in South East Asia Command in Ceylon and India.

He carried out liaison duties with the Chinese Air Force and was awarded the Order of the Cloud and Banner Mochi Medal by the Chinese (gazetted 14th June 1946).

Frizell was released on 6th March 1946 as a Squadron Leader. He emigrated to Canada and settled in Vancouver.

He taught in the Vancouver Public School System until retirement.

Frizell died there on 29th September 2014.