STILL A FIGHTER
WW2 pilot Derrick celebrates his 100th birthday with help of RAF
A FIGHTER pilot who was taken prisoner after being shot down during the Second World War has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Derrick Grubb was joined by senior members of the RAF at a party thrown for him by the Project 71 charity, which supports war veterans.
A folk band and vintage vehicles were laid on to entertain Derrick at the bash.
Asked the secret of his longevity, Derrick said: “I wish I knew. I have always been healthy and lucky.”
Derrick joined the RAF in 1942 and was a squadron leader in 112 Squadron, flying Kittyhawks from beaches in Italy.
He was shot down and held prisoner at Stalag Luft 7 in Bankau, Poland, from June 1944. As the Russians advanced from the east, he and over 80,000 other PoWs were forced to join the “Long March” to Germany in freezing conditions with inadequate clothing and poor supplies. Derrick spent the remainder of the war in Luchenwalde where he was a sports officer, organising cricket and football matches, until he was liberated by the Americans.
He left the RAF 34 years later and from then until retirement he was a bursar at a Wiltshire grammar school. His wife Joyce died in 2001. They had four children and now have six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
At Derrick’s party at the Wickham Estate Vineyard, which is near his home in Havant, Hants, on Sunday, Air Commodore Simon Harper said: “On behalf of the RAF it’s a privilege to join Derrick on this very special day. At 100 years it’s a remarkable achievement. He had a remarkable career and it’s our pleasure to join him to celebrate.”
Derrick said: “The party is amazing. I’m absolutely delighted. So much has happened, I won’t get over it for weeks”