Fred Hunt

In Memorium: Remembering Dr. Frederick Hunt 1923-2021

In the midst of the pandemic, unbeknownst to us, we lost Dr. Fred Hunt at the age of 97. Former curator, Maya Hirschman, had two opportunities to interview Fred in 2013 and 2014 and she remembers those interviews as poignant and profound, altering her understanding of radar mechanics’ roles as he described his work in mobile radar on the front lines. She remembers him as a quiet, kind, and intelligent man, whose experiences in France, Belgium, and the Netherlands left their mark without ever undermining his deep compassion for his peers and civilians alike. Maya and all of us at SORM offer our sincere condolences to Fred’s family and friends. We know he’ll be missed.

Below is an excerpt from his Obituary (link here):

HUNT, Frederick
(Normandy Veteran - French Legion of Honour)

Passed away peacefully in Ottawa on July 10, 2021 at the age of 97 years. Frederick Hunt, loving husband of the late Alice (née Emond). Born on October 6, 1923 in Port Hope, Ontario son of the late Roy and Elsie (née Jewell). Predeceased by his brothers Jack, Ted and Reese of Port Hope, ON. Predeceased also by his sister-in-law Carol of Baltimore, On. Fondly remembered by his niece and 5 nephews. Frederick spent many dedicated years as a RCAF/RAF radar technician from 1941-1946. He later studied and received his BSc, MSc., and PhD from the university of Western Ontario in the years 1947-1955. After university, he spent 31 years with the National Research Council involving Research and Development of radar and its applications.

Congratulations to Dr. Fred Hunt, RCAF radar veteran

Dr. Fred Hunt is all smiles after granting Curator Maya Hirschman a lovely interview in July, 2015. 

Congratulations to Dr. Fred Hunt, radar veteran, on receiving the French Legion of Honour!

The ceremony was held on November 10, 2015, with French Ambassador Nicolas Chapuis presenting the medals.  The veterans were honoured for the roles they played in France's liberation.  Fred is one of our long-time supporters and an esteemed World War II radar veteran.  We have numerous artefacts in the collection donated by Fred, including field maps from his time operating mobile radar in France and Belgium.  He is also one of the veterans we profile in the In Harm's Way exhibit, currently in development, about radar on the front lines.  

The full list of Legion of Honour recipients follows:

Acorn, Ivan

Bova, George

Bray, John Reynold Delmeigne

Bridgewater, Albert

Craske, Peter

Farley, Raymond

Fouchard, George

Fowlow, Gilbert

Hanley, Robert

Highley, John

Hunt, Frédérick

Huot, Marcel

Juneau, Gérard

Kaspar, Walter

Little, Ronald Joseph

McKechnie, Donald

Moore, William

Neatby, Herbert Blair

Notman, Allan

Scharf, James

Read more and view photographs from the award ceremony at the links below.