Derek William Eves, Flying Officer, 196 Squadron, RAF, service no. 157181, born and lived in Hampton Wick. He flew under the control of the Special Operations Executive, flying "cloak and dagger" missions. He may be regarded as S.A.S. He flew a specially-modified Stirling MkIV bomber. Some of his worked involved the French Resistance. The squadron was active during the D-Day operations, towing gliders and carrying paratroopers. Twenty-three Stirlings of 196 Squadron led the D-Day attack, starting at 23:00 hrs the previous day. The squadron returned to S.O.E. activities and took part in the assault on Arnhem. Derek Eves died days before he was to train for operation 'Varsity'. His plane failed to return from operation 'Draught 7A' over the Zeidersee, Holland. Flying Officer Eves is remembered on the R.A.F. Memorial at Runnymede, and on the Hampton Wick War Memorial. He was the son of William and Ella. Ella Eves' maiden name was D'eye. Believed to have lived 28 Jan 1906 to Oct 1990.
It is ironical to note that Derek was old enough to die but too young to vote.
When special operations personnel were lost in combat it was normal practice to advise the grieving families that they should not impart information regarding the circumstances of the loss via word of mouth, written or typed communication, or by telephone. In this case, the wife of a missing crew-member embroidered the details on to a fire screen and this item was found in her possessions after her death. By this means she had not broken the wording of the contract of silence.
It is ironical to note that Derek was old enough to die but too young to vote.
When special operations personnel were lost in combat it was normal practice to advise the grieving families that they should not impart information regarding the circumstances of the loss via word of mouth, written or typed communication, or by telephone. In this case, the wife of a missing crew-member embroidered the details on to a fire screen and this item was found in her possessions after her death. By this means she had not broken the wording of the contract of silence.
Derek William Eves, Flying Officer, 196 Squadron, RAF, service no. 157181, born and lived in Hampton Wick. He flew under the control of the Special Operations Executive, flying "cloak and dagger" missions. He may be regarded as S.A.S. He flew a specially-modified Stirling MkIV bomber. Some of his worked involved the French Resistance. The squadron was active during the D-Day operations, towing gliders and carrying paratroopers. Twenty-three Stirlings of 196 Squadron led the D-Day attack, starting at 23:00 hrs the previous day. The squadron returned to S.O.E. activities and took part in the assault on Arnhem. Derek Eves died days before he was to train for operation 'Varsity'. His plane failed to return from operation 'Draught 7A' over the Zeidersee, Holland. Flying Officer Eves is remembered on the R.A.F. Memorial at Runnymede, and on the Hampton Wick War Memorial. He was the son of William and Ella. Ella Eves' maiden name was D'eye. Believed to have lived 28 Jan 1906 to Oct 1990.
It is ironical to note that Derek was old enough to die but too young to vote.
When special operations personnel were lost in combat it was normal practice to advise the grieving families that they should not impart information regarding the circumstances of the loss via word of mouth, written or typed communication, or by telephone. In this case, the wife of a missing crew-member embroidered the details on to a fire screen and this item was found in her possessions after her death. By this means she had not broken the wording of the contract of silence.
It is ironical to note that Derek was old enough to die but too young to vote.
When special operations personnel were lost in combat it was normal practice to advise the grieving families that they should not impart information regarding the circumstances of the loss via word of mouth, written or typed communication, or by telephone. In this case, the wife of a missing crew-member embroidered the details on to a fire screen and this item was found in her possessions after her death. By this means she had not broken the wording of the contract of silence.
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