DERRICK, Vincent
| Service Number: | 274531 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 February 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Flight Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 112 Mobile Fighter Control Unit |
| Born: | Dapto, New South Wales, Australia , 16 February 1903 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Store Manager |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 23 Feb 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 274531 | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 1943: | Transferred Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, No. 102 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| 6 Apr 1945: | Transferred Squadron Leader, 112 Mobile Fighter Control Unit | |
| 26 Nov 1945: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flight Lieutenant, 274531 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Vince Wardill
Vince was conscripted into the RAAF on the 23.02.1942 aged 39 as a Radio Specialist (Service no. 274531). He had specialized knowledge, that of Morse Code, and electronics which he used for the next 19 months of service, to teach young pilots the skill of Morse Code at the Richmond Airforce Base in NSW.
He was then deployed into the Pacific under the 102 Fighter Squadron on the 10.12.1943, moving through a couple of other divisions including 33 ZFC before becoming a Flight Lieutenant.
He technically was in behind the Japanese lines during a large portion of this time, doing early warning & detection via radar (new technology at this time), of the Japanese movements & positions, sending information back to Pacific Central Command.
He joining the 112 Mobile Fighter Control Unit (Radar) in April 1945 as a Regional Acting Squadron Leader.
He ended his active service on 26.11.1945 aged 42, 9mths.
By the time I was born, he was an old man & wanting to forget the war. He'd fought & had young men his son's age, die beside him in hand to hand combat with the Japanese.
Vince in 1990 on natural causes.
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