DEREK GUY BROCK
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG”: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 1923, Ipswich.
Died: 31st August 1943; age: 20; KiA on air operations.
Residence: 430, Norwich Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Sergeant/Flight Engineer; Service Number: 1615700.
Regiment: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 15 Squadron.
Grave Reference:
M.M.4.2.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Herbert Stephen & Gladys Brock, of Ipswich.
Father: Herbert Stephen Brock, born October 1892, Norwich, Norfolk. A Cashier – Bacon Factory. During the Second World War Herbert was an Air Raid Warden – No. 7 Group, Ipswich.
Mother: Gladys Brock (nee Manwaring), born December 1891, Norwich, Norfolk.
Derek was a member of the 10th Ipswich Scout Group.
In April 1941 the squadron became the second to receive the Short Stirling. Between June and August those bombers were used in the RAF’s efforts to “lean over the channel”, as bait for German fighters. However, too many Stirlings were lost to anti-aircraft fire, and the squadron turned to night bombing, and then to mine laying.
31st August 1943
Aircraft: Stirling III; Serial Number: EE954; Code: LS-J; Based: Mildenhall, Suffolk. Derek was the Flight Engineer to Flight Sergeant Norman Lindsay Thomas and his crew on the Stirling. They were on the homeward journey, after a bombing mission on the city of München-Gladbach, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. A German night fighter made a firing pass at the whole length of the Stirling with canon and machine gun fire. The attack by the enemy machine was made from below and the crew had no intimation of it until cannon shells exploded in the forward portion of the fuselage causing extensive damage, Derek was killed, and the aircraft caught fire.
Despite the smoke and the damaged state of his aircraft Flight Sergeant Thomas retained control and organised his crew to combat the flames. It was through his skill in handling his aircraft and crew in a very difficult situation that a badly damaged aircraft was brought safely home to England. He has always shown himself to be a very reliable Captain of his aircraft and the most determined in pressing home his attack. He is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.
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