Helsby, Derek Leonard
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Derek Leonard |
Surname | Helsby |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-01-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of William Henry and Mabel Helsby, of Brooklands, Sale, Cheshire |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | EF246 |
Markings | -C |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Sale Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. A.E. Grave 92. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 48 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 2209214 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 1660 HCU |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-01-1944 |
End Date | 29-01-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Swinderby |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | Briefed for a combined Bull's-eye and searchlight cooperation exercise. At around 2200 the Stirling dived into the Humber, not far from North Killingholme on the Lincolnshire bank of the river. It is suggested that the pilot might have been dazzled by the searchlights, whereupon he took violent evasive action and, in so doing, lost control. |