The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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238993 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. Letter from King Rheinberg War Cemetry Jon Ward Add to this record.  Related Content: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve No. 106 Squadron Royal Air Force RAF Syerston Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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