Fred never spoke much about anything, even to the man who claims to be one of his closest friends.
Julius Leonowicz today revealed new pictures of the Ring Road tramp, whose real name was Josef Stawinoga.
But he admits he doesn’t really have any real idea as to the past of the 86-year-old, who who died on Sunday after 30 years living in a tent in the middle of the city centre dual carriageway.
Click here to see Fred’s life in pictures.
See also: Council pledge on funeral.
For years people in Wolverhampton believed Fred’s decision to live his days under canvas and shun society was down to the trauma of fighting in the Second World War or being imprisoned in a Russian camp.
Mr Leonowicz, aged 78, revealed Fred lived and worked in Wolverhampton as a perfectly ordinary man for seven years until 1954. But then, for reasons he took to his grave, he opted out of society and eventually found himself in his tent, discreetly placed in a bush.
The tramp, who would have been 87 on December 15, never told Mr Leonowicz directly about his past. He rarely spoke, even in his native Polish tongue.
One rumour among the Polish community is that rather than being a victim of the Nazis he was actually a former SS soldier.
Mr Leonowicz told how people had claimed Fred had almost bragged about his time in Hitler’s notorious SS.
Mr Leonowicz said: “Apparently, he did serve in the German army, he was in the SS.” He said that people claimed “he was not one of the nicest chaps in the SS”.
It is claimed Fred rose to the rank of staff sergeant despite being a Pole and ended up in a displaced persons camp in Wolverhampton after the war.
However Mr Leonowicz also told of how people knew of Fred as one of 100,000 Poles in Italy who fought alongside the British Army and he was part of the Second Polish Corps.
If this is true it is in complete contrast to the SS story as the Second Corps were determined to disprove Russian propaganda about Poles as Nazi collaborators.
It may be that the war stories are simply a red herring and that a personal crisis led to a nervous breakdown and his descent onto the streets.
One popular theory among former colleagues for Fred’s decision to leave civilisation was how he got home one day to find his Austrian-born wife gone. Certainly, pictures of Fred, broom in hand, patrolling his Ring Road home, also show that he appears to be wearing a wedding ring.
Mr Leonowicz, of Millwalk Drive, of Pendeford, has a 1947 picture of Fred before his new life as a tramp. It was given to him by a friend of a friend within the Polish community and sheds little light about his past.
He said: “Why he lived on the streets I simply don’t know.
“I heard he didn’t show up for work one day. We saw him wandering around the town feeding himself from dustbins.
“I saw him in Wolverhampton sitting on a bench in Chapel Ash near St Mark’s Church.
“He had grown a very long beard by then and pushed a pram containing all his belongings.
“Then he moved to a multi-storey car park near the markets. He had found a hole under the stairs but was chased away by the police.”
After Fred moved onto the Ring Road Mr Leonowicz began to regularly check up on him and would bring him new tents.
But Fred still slept in the same tent he first used more than 30 years ago, with new tents just put over the top to protect it from the elements.
He even had occasional company.
Mr Leonowicz said: “About five years ago someone left him a chicken. I loved that chicken and used to bring it seed. I asked where it came from but he just shrugged. When it went away I asked where it had gone and he just shrugged.”
Fred was treated as a holy man by the Hindu and Sikh communities, with many people believing he lived a truly enlightened life.
“Two people came to see him and gave him something”, Mr Leonowicz said.
“They touched his feet as they backed away.
“He didn’t seem to mind because they’d given him tobacco so he was happily smoking like a chimney.”
Mr Leonowicz, who recently celebrated 50 years of marriage to wife Maria, also served in the military but joined an English cadet school in Palestine to go on to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
By Becky Sharp.
58 Comments
Wow what a man…
He lived his life how he wanted and we should all respect him for that. He never hurt anyone and never took any thing from anyone.
Gold bless Fred….you will be missed by all ….
wops should have said god bless not (gold)
Midlands Today were very sensationalist last night when reporting only the one rumour that he was a high ranking SS officer. This article appears more balanced.
I would hope that more investigation is given to the matter by the BBC before reporting such a story when its plain that nobody has much of a clue what ‘Fred’s’ background actually was.
A very sad day for Wolverhampton.
Fred was an icon of diversity for the city. He will be missed by the people of the city, but he not be forgotten.
God bless sir!
fred will be missed. does it matter about his past its his present that counts. i remember as a child seeing another chap who used to wander round the merridale street/ring road area, every time a vehicle passed he would ” throw” something at the passing vehichle, i wonder what happened to him, does anyone else remember this man. he was quite tall, and thin, and wore a flat cap if i remember rightly.
Sad to hear of Fred passing on.
And I think I remember the chap mentioned by ‘vailron’ too - we used to call him ‘the grenade thrower’ - probably around early 70’s?
vailron said: fred will be missed. does it matter about his past
Erm Yes if he was SS he lived better and longer than alot of others in WW11
vailron said: fred will be missed. does it matter about his past
Erm yes it does if he was SS
Sad that he is dead, however should never have been allowed to live on a ring road - it has done nothing more than just add further ridicule to the already blighted profile of wolverhampton!
I agree nobby, his passing is sad.However if he was a member of the SS should we be talking about erecting memorials etc.I’m not sure it would be appropriate.
Ridicule??? this man is an icon the ought to put sum sort of memorial on the ring road in his honour
Ridicule???? this man is an icon!
they ought to put up some sort of memorial on the ring road in his honour
So sorry to hear about Josef’s passing, people didn’t know him, but knew of him and he will be missed.
As for some peoples comments about how he lived and that the council shouldn’t have allowed it! who are you to tell someone how to live, especially when they had been through what he had, would you feel like that if it was your relative and it was their wish to live like that.
Rest in Peace Josef, most people were behind you.x
Someone hopefully will get to the bottom of his past.
If he was in the SS then I think his past matters quite a bit….in fact quite a lot. All of these people claiming the past doesn’t matter for something like this just show their ignorance of recent history.
If he is proven innocent then he should be given a decent burial but does Wolverhampton really need to erect a statue to someone who in reality decided to drop out of society? I would have thought if we are going to honour someone it should be someone who’s been of service to the community not who chose to absolve themselves of all responsibility?
i can not belive he gone i am only 24 years of age so he alway been there it won’t be right going past and not to see him tidy up.
i think the BBC are wrong with the stories they make him out like he evil. There are so many stories out there of him who to now what the truth was but it just like the BBC to go for the bad one and try to give him a bad name but us a city must not let this happend and if he was so bad like the BBC make him out to be why did so many of us help out I think they should let him rest in peace he will be saddly miss by everyone who knew him and knew of him
he will be sadly missed
The way this man lived is an anathema to all that we, as a modern society, hold dear. To see him live the way he did is to stir an abiding shame in us all that we, society, permitted it.
And yet I can’t shake the conviction that he should have the right to live any way he pleases; and that we are poorer for the passing of a man with the intestinal fortitude to plough his own furrow whatever…
God bless,
our ol frend Fred,
without a smile n a tear
our Fred will always be here
on the Ring Rd, day n night
our Freds spirit is there, jus outta sight,
sad it is, wolves wont be the same,
we’ll miss u Fred,its such a shame,
R.I.P. Fred, an adorable, harmless character has gone,
he’s in a betta place now, in the weirdest way, he truly shone…
miss u FRED the best tramp eva…xx
Very well said Anthony.
RIP Fred.
The famous ‘Penn Road Chucka’1970’s
The other chap, complete with flat cloth cap as mentioned in this article, the one who ‘threw’ imaginary grenades over the ramparts onto often surprised traffic passing, was also a Polish chap, lived just behind the Mercs garage ( Carols?) in a terrace with his dad or uncle and a younger Polish lady. Having just read the war stories of these people under both the Germans & the Russians, forced to fight, starve or be killed, who are we to judge?? Mikey.R
Wolverhampton is my home town even though I have not lived there for a long time. The Hermit on the median was a feature I always looked for when I visited. Fred was an eccentric and England is the home of eccentrics. Whatever his past, he has done no harm for the last 35 years. May he rest in peace.
These stories of SS men are rife among the Polish community. I remember my mother muttering things about certain Poles $ even about my father.
I think that if people did’nt talk much they must have something to hide- hence the tales of SS & German collaboration.
Having said that- some were.
Response to - Ridicule??? this man is an icon the ought to put sum sort of memorial on the ring road in his honour - that’s right lets spend £20 or £30 grand of tax payers money on a pointless statue, the world has gone mad, particularly if the things we are hearing about his past are true.
and as for,
‘who are you to tell someone how to live, especially when they had been through what he had, would you feel like that if it was your relative and it was their wish to live like that’ - get real, of course there have to be regulations on where people can and cannot live, and city centre ring roads believe it or not, fall into the latter category being unacceptable.
r.i.p fred
the ring road isnt going to be the same with out u on it.
R.I.P bye x
fred.all i can say is wolverhampton. will miss u. r.i.p. fred
Whoever and whatever, Josef was a man who lived the latter part of his life in the way that only he saw fit. What right have any of us to impose our own set of values on a man who chose a life of self deprecation.We cannot begin to imagine what drove Josef to live in the manner that he did, and the fact that he chose to keep his past to himself should be respected by all, no matter what the rumour-mongers may say.
Whatever his demons, let us all pray that he rests in peace.
we all recall the eccentrics—-I remember the grenade thrower too—-and there was a guy (around the early 70’s) who always wore a cowboy hat and went around Wolverhampton town centre ‘’shooting” everybody—-if he did that now there’d be helicopters and police marksmen out after him
oh well
times change I suppose
I can hardly remember a time when Fred was not around. I recall many years ago overhearing a visitor from down south saying that in her town someone like him would be locked away! I remember thinking what an unkind place her town must have been. I’m glad he was allowed to live relatively unmolested on the ring road. It says a lot for Wolverhampton, it’s council and it’s people.
I shall miss seeing him sweeping up the leaves, the ring road will never be the same again.
Simon,
Wolverhampton, ridicule? Where do you live Simon? If it’s Wolverhampton and you don’t like it, then why don’t you leave?
If it’s not Wolverhampton, then you’re just showing your ignorance, you have no idea!
I am very proud to live in Wolverhampton and the community spirit, to which you obviously don’t belong.
RIP Jozef.
I heard about Fred passing away on sunday night and it was like someone close had passed away. Fred deserves a memorial.He was and still is a part of wolverhampton and we all want it to stay that way,he should never be forgotten,he’s been part of all our lives for 30yrs.R.I.P Fred
Travelling around the ring road won’t be the same. Fred has always been there, once youve checked the traffic, you check for Fred. RIP Fred, you will be missed.
Fred - as much a part of Wolverhampton as the market, the churches and indeed the ringroad itself.
Proud to be a Wulfrunian, proud for Fred to have been there.
Fred RIP - not to be forgotten.
Dave.
Being young i never knew much about this old man. I knew he was polish and had an ordeal with something to with the war but nothing else.
I really wish i’d managed to talk to him, and given him the care he needed.
Fred, you were so misterious, yet loved by us all, Rest In Peace old chap, With love from wolverhampton x
I agree with Mikey - who are we to judge? Didn’t Jesus say” Who ever is with out sin cast the first stone”? We don’t know the true facts about the former life of “Fred”,what trauma he went through that lead to what appears to have been a breakdown. Whatever happened in his past, he was a sad man who obviously had problems. Isn’t it too late now for floral tributes? Let’s give him a decnt burial and turn our thoughts to how we can help others like him,now while they are alive not after they are dead.
Ever since i was a little lad travelling to and from my aunties house in wolves i can remember being fascinated that someone could have the courage, guts and determination to live on an island in the middle of a city peacefully minding our every day lives living in the canvases of four rag walls for that Fred the legendary gentle tramp will never be forgotton he is a true legend R.I.P Mr Stawinoga
I have been coming to Wolverhampton on and off for the last 4 years.Was shocked when I heard that he had died .I drove passed freds tent regularly from Sedgley, always looked out for him.I had been told about him by friends.I think it was great how he was left to live his life as he wanted.I hope he is safe now,and in a better place.All my Love Fred/Josefx
thanks for the ifo about the “chuka” as for fred being a member of the SS does anyone know for sure that he was. he could have been a member of the polish army, dont forget germany and russia signed a treaty with the intention of splitting poland between them, some of the attrocities supposedly carried out by the nazi’s were in fact carried out by the russians. and not all ss members were bad, dont forget the ss were the elite fighting force of the german army, not all served in death cmaps
We love you fred, Rest in peace,
i will raise a glass for you tonight x
i remember fred always being on the ring road . My daughters always used to ask me to alow down on the ring road so they could wave to Trevor (their name for Fred) He chose to live the way he did , and we must remember in all the years he lived on the streets he never harmed any one . To all the rumour mongers there is only one person who knows why he chose to live the way he did let him rest in peace.
We read the news on the net as we have lived in Australia for 3 years and my daughters still remembered who he was .just let him rest in peace
Some weeks ago when I was crossing the road a few yards up from Fred’s tent, I notice a car stop right opposite the tent. I stopped and watched as I saw two youths, a young woman and a child get out of the car. The two youths went across to the tent and I was a bit concerned, so I walked a few yards in the direction of the Fred’s tent and then I saw that the youths were taking him food. I smiled to myself and carried on out about my business. Well done lads.
to all of you that have jumped onto the band wagon about freds rumoured past life with ss, what ever he did or did not do is in the the past of ww 2. if he was in the ss don’t you think that this man punnished himself by living on a ring road, we will never know. and what about the war crimes that the british have committed against there enemies but you forget those quite conveniently.
My respect goes out to fred what ever army he was in he did what he had to do to survive and that is what we are all trying to do whilst on this planet.
R.I.P. fred well survived
I’ve only just read about Fred’s death. He’s been a part of Wolverhampton ring road for almost as long as I can remember. Whatever did happen in his past, it seems it had a huge traumatic affect on him. Anyone needing to isolate themselves has some thing they struggle with. Rest in peace Fred
i think that any relatives of fred are sickening not to come forwrad and pay for the funeral i mean at the nd of the day it was there relative and a part of there family, if he had been a relative of mine tramp or no tramp i would have came forward to pay my respects. i am pleased that someone has the consideration toi pay for it.
r.i.p. fred
lou_x
I have only lived in Wolverhampton for twenty years and both my children have seen fred and my grandson, If it was’nt for people like fred fighting in the war we would not have the life we have today (good old fred, rest in piece old soldier).
The ring road will not be as tidy anymore without you fred.
In response to Donna, who wrote:
“He lived his life how he wanted and we should all respect him for that. He never hurt anyone and never took any thing from anyone.”
Living your life how you want is only acceptable if it respects the right for other people to live. If this “Fred” was an SS officer, as has been suggested by a number of former acquaintances, then it seems as though you’re wrong about his not hurting anyone. If he was a Polish officer in the SS then he earned that post by participating in the mass slaughter of innocents. Whether that happened 60 years ago or yesterday is an irrelevance both in international law and in common sense. Without proper information this man’s reputation is highly questionable….no matter how sweet you found his mental illness.
R.I.P Fred.You are missed.
I had a memory flash back when reading this.coming down the ring road from Walsall looking to my right when in traffic and looking for movement around the blue tent.
Ive always know about Fred living on the ring road ever since i was a girl, having Polish relatives myself i think hes an icon and should go down in the history of Wolverhampton, RIP Fred you will be missed by all
Jessica said: “If he was a Polish officer in the SS then he earned that post by participating in the mass slaughter of innocents. Whether that happened 60 years ago or yesterday is an irrelevance both in international law and in common sense.”
I think this is agreed by most but this “no matter how sweet you found his mental illness.”
How incredibly cold that sounded like something our country fought against in WW2.
I first came across old Fred when I was a wild child around Wolverhampton spending my nights with equally wild friends, some of our nights would end late in a Chapel Ash at a restraunt called De-Babbles( I hope I have spelt that right)Newton the owner always made sure Fred had a hot meal and a mug of tea, which I took down to him at times, Newton was a great guy but a business man never the less but business was put aside for Fred as my old mate Newton had respect for him, this is what confuses me about the SS this is something that was never mentioned to me before.
Coming back from Wales on Sunday night I looked over to Fred’s tent as I usually did I feel so sad to think he may have been laying ill there alone without help. I have shed a few tears I can tell you, and if this is a lie about the SS I hope that the truth comes forth soon and if he was the reasons why he was there explained.
REST IN PEACE SIR used to see him every night sweeping the streets [we work at r m ] it just wont be the same without you GOD BLESS YOU FRED
The ring road will definitely not be the same…
RIP Fred
No-one knows with any degree of certainty about Fred’s past life, so no-one should be passing judgement.
He was just Fred….part and parcel of Wolverhampton.
Gonna miss that landmark tent !!!!!!
RIP Fred.
everybody who condenms Fred should thank their lucky stars they were not born in 1920 & in a Europe that would soon be under the jackboot. Loojk around the world and see what the Brits and the Yanks have done are we any better . Woodie ex Brit Soldier of 22 years They who think they are better Throw the First Stone!!!!Hypocrites
I will miss seeing him on my frequent visits to Wolverhampton.
God bless you Fred.
What a great loss to Wolverhampton, he was almost a part of Wolverhampton and his loss to us will be felt by all. Ring Road will never be the same, neither will Wolverhampton. I agree with most of the comments above, definately a big statue of him with his broom should be erected with a plaque saying some things about him. This will be seen for generations to come, as I saw him when I was young and my parents, it will become a symbol and feature in Wolverhampton! I beg and humbly request the Wolverhampton Council to erect this statue and memorial for him!
R.I.P. JOSEPH - We will never forget you!
(P.S. Anyone know when the funeral is going to be and where can we donate for his funeral as well as memorial?)
I don’t know anything about Fred, nor does anyone here from what i can tell. We shouldn’t forget our past and that people have fought, died and suffered for all of us - that includes those on the ‘losing’ side as well. Everyone is capable of showing remorse and therfore should be allowed forgiveness.
Even if you think that thats all a load of crap then look at whats written by the people of Wolvo on here. Fred has clearly had a positive impact on a lot of people lives and more will be said and remembered of him than any of us.
Shame on all of us who judge him without knowing what he truely was.
Well done old boy!
RIP Josef Im only young but wen my dad drives me round the rin road now i feel sad as you are not there i alwayz used 2 try and spot ya x
Oh no, you will be missed!
I think a memorial on where his tent was would be fitting.
hello
I Daii Reaallii Evaa C Him Bt He Was A Pure Legand
He Deserves To Be Remembered As A Tramp Cuz He Was ONe To Be Honest
But At Least He Daii Beg For Money
Mii Nan Gave Him A Sausage Roll
Bless Her Cotton Socks Or Tights Lool
LoveYooh You Likkle Sweeyii Pie xx