DAVIES – Derek

1809290 – Derek Sewell Blackburn Davies – Barbados – Flight Sergeant  – 224 Sqn – Liberators – Specialist Air Gunner

Joined the RAF on 3rd September 1942, serving for nine months in the RAF regiment.
Received aircrew training as an air gunner receiving his wing in April 1944.
Posted to 224 Squadron joining the crew of Flight Lieutenant Merrington flying in B24 Liberators.
Flew 33 operational sorties which included the covering of the D-Day landings with the B24s along with other aircraft thus preventing other U-boats and other units of the German navy from penetrating the main landing sites.
Seconded in November 1945 to the Colonial Office in London to assist with the repatriation of other West Indians to their homelands serving F/Lt Arthur Wint, F/Lt Peter Bynoe, Squadron Leader Ulric Cross
Repatriated to Barbados arriving there on 24th December 1946.
Later received the Barbados Service Medal.

[Source: Derek Davies]