RONALD Frederick Hallam was the third generation of the Hallam family to run Fred Hallam Ltd, the prominent Beeston fishmonger, greengrocer and fruiterer's shop in High Road established by his grandfather in 1908.
Known as Fred, he was passionate about representing the interests of local businesses and the wider community and was made president of the Beeston and Stapleford Chamber of Trade in the 1990s, setting up one of the first "shop watch" schemes.
Fred proved himself as a successful and respected businessman, enlarging and modernising the shop and making it self-service in response to changing shopping habits and the rise of supermarkets.
Born on May 14, 1936, Fred was raised in Marlborough Road, Beeston, the son of John and Anne Hallam, with younger sister Joy.
He was educated at Nottingham High School where he enjoyed playing rugby and was a keen scholar and writer, with a particular interest in British history and a passion for the works of Rudyard Kipling.
During his National Service from 1955 to 1957, Fred served in the Royal Artillery's 25 Field Regiment and was deployed to Malaya to fight communist guerrillas at the height of the Malayan Emergency.
Bombardier Hallam was part of a 25-Pounder field gun crew, firing shells on enemy positions.
It was in Malaya that Fred met and developed an affinity with the Nepalese Gurkha soldiers of the British Army, which he would later help to support.
Fred first met his future wife, Janet Erickson, from Mapperley, at a dance at the Sherwood Rooms.
They were married in 1966 and set up their family home in Cedar Avenue, Beeston, where they had three sons – Miles, 42, James, 40, and Andrew, 33.
Together they enjoyed many family holidays in their caravan at Sutton-On-Sea.
Miles and Andrew went on to join the family business, while James embarked on a career in newspaper journalism.
Fred had many skills and interests. His sporting pastimes over the years included rugby, shooting, fencing, sailing and golf to name a few.
He was resourceful and practical, building his own house and, as a talented woodworker, designed and constructed his own catamaran sailing boat in his garage.
In retirement, as well as being a devoted grandad, Fred became an active and key member of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association, rising to the position of vice-chairman of its Nottingham branch.
He established and edited the branch's magazine and engaged in a number of campaigns, including petitioning for a medal for those who served in Malaya and helping to organise and take part in activities and parades of Remembrance.
Fred was also dedicated to fundraising for a cause close to his heart – the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which supports elderly ex-Gurkha soldiers living in hardship in the Himalayas.
Fred died suddenly on the morning of Tuesday, October 16. He leaves behind his wife Janet, three sons and six grandchildren – Lily-May, 7, Erick, 5, Lola, 5, Isabelle, 4, Archie, 3, and Freddie, 2 – while the business that bears his name continues to serve the Beeston community as a popular shop and employer.
A funeral service will be held at St John the Baptist Church, Beeston, on Thursday, October 25, at 1.30pm. Donations to the Gurkha Welfare Trust welcomed.
