Sgt. Derek Charles Ward
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 106 Squadron
(d.15th Oct 1942)
Derek Ward was my grandfather. I have only very recently been able to obtain any information about him at all. The very little I know is that his last flight was upon Lancaster W4771
Lancaster W4771 took off from Syerston at 19:25 hrs to attack targets in Cologne which was completed successfully. Shortly after leaving the target area, and while flying at 17,000ft in the Cologne - Monchengladbach area, the Lancaster was hit by flak. It is thought that two members of the crew were killed by the flak burst and the pilot was killed when the aircraft crashed.
Crew:
- P/O T.B. Crowfoot. DFC. RAFVR. Pilot. 129665. Age 30. He was married to Gladys Dorothy Crowfoot and lived in Thetford, Norfolk. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, grave 2.B.19.
- Sgt E.J.C. High. RAFVR. Survived. Prisoner of War. He was taken to Stalag Luft Heydekrug and given the POW No.824. During captivity he was promoted to Warrant Officer.
- F/O A.S. Meara. RAFVR. Survived. Prisoner of War. He was taken to Stalag Luft Sagan and given the POW No. 771. He was subsequently promoted to Flight Lieutenant
- F/O A/L. Dickinson. RAFVR. Survived. Prisoner of War. Taken to Dalag Luft Sagan and given the POW No. 42818. Later promoted to Flight Lieutenant.
- F/O P.D. Smale. RAFVR. Wireless Operator. 109045. Age 20. He came from Newton Abbott, Devon. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, grave 2.B.20.
- Sgt R.E. Christy. RAFVR. Survived. Prisoner of War. Taken to Stalag Luft Kopernikus and given the POW No. 809. He was later promoted to Warrant Officer.
- Sgt D.C. Ward. RAFVR. Rear Gunner. 1386499. Age 31. Son of Walter and Elizabeth Mary Ward and married to Sylvia Ward of Upwell near Wisbech, Cambs. He is buried in the Rheinberg War Cemetery, grave 2.B.21.
The actual site where the Lancaster crashed is unknown.
