Trafford

Born during the December quarter 1924 in the Bucklow R.D. - ref: 8a/263,
the son of William Henry & Mabel Helsby (nee Massey).

At the time of the 1911 census - Derek's, parents - were married but had no
children and resided at "Lowood", Marsland Road, Sale.  Both aged: 22 -
William's occupation was given as:- Partner in Timber Merchants and Wood &
Tin Cast Makers.   William was born at Stretford and Mabel at Flixton.

Derek attended Sale High School & Wrekin College, Shropshire.    Member of
Brooklands Tennis Club.    Employed in his father's firm T.H. Helsby & Co,
Timber Importers, Mcr.

Volunteered for the RAF less than a year before his death, he became an Air
Gunner.

Flying with 1660 Heavy Conversion Unit he took off from RAF Swinderby,
Lincolnshire in a Stirling Mk III Heavy Bomber - No. EF246 - C on a
combined "Bullseye" & Searchlight co-operation exercise (Hull perhaps).  At
around 22.00 hrs the a/c dived into the River Humber, not far from North
Killingholme on the Lincolnshire side of the river.   It was suggested that
the pilot (Flight Lieutenant & Pilot Instructor - John Mortimer Greig DFC)
may have been dazzled by the searchlights, whereupon he took violent
evasive action and, in so doing, lost control of the a/c.

The entire crew of eight perished in the crash.    Only four bodies were
recovered - the names of the missing are commemorated on the Runneymede
Memorial.   In 1975 a wing flap measuring 11 feet x 6 feet was found about
1,000 yards from the crash site.

HCU's trained experienced medium bomber aircrews to operate the heavy
bombers (Stirling's, Lancaster's, Halifax's).   A "Bullseye" Mission was a
practice "bombing" mission over the U.K.    A "Searchlight co-operation
exercise" was where British a/c would fly over a city in conjunction with
the local searchlight batteries to give the S/L batteries practice at
searching for enemy planes.

His death was reported in the 04/02/1944 edition of the Sale & Stretford
Guardian.

Buried 05/02/1944 - Burial No. 24175.   Grave purchased by William Henry
and his funeral was reported in the 11/02/1944 edition of the local
newspaper.

His elder brother was a Corporal in the REME and his sister was a Wren.   
His father, William Henry Helsby, died 19th August 1949 - aged: 61 and his
mother, Mable, died 29th August 1946, aged: 56.

Private Gravestone, currently laid flat on its back.