The deaths of the pub customers deeply affected Derek and it was this one event in particular that
drove him to want to 'Do his bit' for the war effort and fight back against those he saw as
responsible for the dreadful effects of the that nights bomber raid on London.
RAF PADGATE RECEPTION/TRAINING CAMP
On 3rd of October 1941 at the age of 16 his RAF service commenced, his service records
show his birthdate as 1923, a year before the actual date. A common practise among volunteers.
Like most young men at the time he wanted to be a pilot but he did not have the necessary
qualifications. He therefore entered the RAF as a trainee Wireless Operator.