Hi pals, I'm trying to find which squadron Sgt. Derek R. Lord served with. He was killed after leaving his operational squadron (as per CWGC) and may possibly have served with two different squadrons of bomber command (he was later attached to a gunnery school but returned to active duty for a thousand bomber raid). I have loads of info including his letters home but he never mentions the squadron he is serving with. He flew Whitleys. If it helps here's a crew he flew with in the autumn of 1941: Sgt. McLoud (sic) Sgt. Pickin Sgt. P. Tysen F/Sgt E (Chuck) Darby (Canadian) He mentions being called off of a mission in which a school friend was killed. That friend served with 144 Sqn. at Luffenham. He also talks of air tests over Yorkshire. Was he with 144? Thanks.
Hi Clive, 102 sq comes up here. http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/allied/royalairforce/102sqd-raf.html Cheers Geoff
He would never have mentioned his station name or squadron in letters home as that would be spreading info valuable to the enemy. if he mentioned them they'd have been removed by the sensors before delivery.
Not sure if this helps. I have a F/S. Derek Rowland Lord killed 13 August 1942 serving with 1484 Flight. Name: LORD, DEREK ROWLAND Initials: D R Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Flight Sergeant (Pilot) Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Age: 20 Date of Death: 13/08/1942 Service No: 1169117 Additional information: Son of Gordon Ewart Lord and Flora Marie Lord, of Burpham, Guildford. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: East of Church. Cemetery: BURPHAM (ST. LUKE) CHURCHYARD
Yes that's him, I have that from CWGC. But where did you get the info on 1484 Flight? And what was it? He was killed during gunnery practice, this is the info I have of the accident... (any more info re 1484 much appreciated)... On 13 August 1942 Derek was flying a Boulton Paul Defiant Mk I (L6981) when it span out of control and crashed at Scurfdike Farm, near Hutton Cranswick, Humberside during gunnery practice. Both Derek and his air gunner (Sgt. Arthur Potts aged 20 from Hull) were killed. I'm still writing up his page but here's what I have to date http://web.me.com/clivetemple/wokinggrammar/Lord.html
Thanks Geoff, I've cross checked the losses on missions he mentions against the Lost Bombers site and that seems to tally. Is the wartime memories site active? None of the links to stories on 102 Sqn. work and I have photos and crew details they may find useful.
Hi Clive, I would say you should go to their guestbook (Wartime Memories Project. http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/guestadd.htm The 102sq website copyright is dated 2008. Cheers Geoff
Clive, The info on 1484 Flight comes from 'Bomber Command Losses Vol.9 Roll of Honour 1939-1947' W R. Chorley Regards Peter
13 August 1942 1484 Flt Defiant I L6981 Op. Training F/S. D R. Lord + Sgt. A O. Potts + Took off Driffield for air-to-air gunnery. Lost control, while carrying out a mock attack on the drogue towing aircraft, spun and crashed at Scurfdike Farm, on the north bank of Scurf Dike some two and a half miles off east-south-east from Hutton Cranswick airfield and between 4 and 5 miles SSE of Great Driffield, Yorkshire. F/S. Lord rests at Burpham (St.Luke) Churchyard while Sgt. Potts was taken to Haltemprice (Anlaby, Tranby Lane) Cemetery on the west side of nearby Hull. Both were aged twenty. BCL Vol.8 - W R. Chorley
No.1484 Flight Bases. Driffield, Yorkshire - 14/11/1941 to 23/07/1943 Headquarters. Leconfield, Yorkshire - 23/07/1943 to 15/02/1944 Headquarters. Lissett - 3/01/1944 to 15/02/1944 Detachment. 15/02/1944 Re designated No.1689 Flight. Regards Peter
102 Sqn Hi I believe that the Royal Air Force Assn keep lists of the assns so if you contact your local branch they may be able to help you or at least advise you where to go to try and find the information. Dee
