Name: Derek Albert Thomas Mew Rank: Leading Airman Service Number: FAA/FX112438 Service: 769 Naval Air Squadron (NAS), HMS Peewit, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy Date of Birth: May 11, 1925 Place of Birth: Herne Hill, South London, England Address at Enlistment: 1291 London Road, Norbury, London SW16 Date of Death: August 29, 1944 Age: 19 Cemetery: Faughanvale (St. Canice) Church Cemetery, Eglinton, Londonderry, North Ireland Grave: North West Extension Derek was the son of Albert Ernest Mew (1896-1986) and Doris (Winter) Mew (1896-1978), and the brother of Ronald Herbert Mew (b. 1927). After initial naval training in the United Kingdom at HMS Royal Arthur in Skegness, and HMS St Vincent in Gosport, Derek was selected for transfer to Canada for Telegraphist Air Gunner training and trained in Course No. 54A (September 1943). Derek was a Leading Airman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and served as a Telegraphist Air Gunner with 769 Naval Air Squadron, Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, at Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) East Haven (HMS Peewit) in Angus, Scotland. He died when his aircraft (Fairey Barracuda Mk II; DP872) crashed into a bog at Blackhead Moss, near Enagh Lough, County Londonderry soon after take-off from Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Maydown (HMS Shrike), County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The observer, Sub-Lieutenant Frederick Roberston Dobbie and the pilot, Sub-Lieutenant Dennis Oxby also died in the crash. Initial attempts to retrieve the crew were unsuccessful and it was not until May 19, 1971 that it was possible to recover their remains. The three were interred at the Faughanvale (St. Canice) Church of Ireland Churchyard Cemetery in Eglinton. The personal inscription on Derek’s grave reads, “We Will Always Remember, Mother and Dad”. He is also commemorated on the War memorial for Midland Bank employees currently (2024) located in HSBC UK, Centenary Square, Birmingham.