Derrick was a Sergeant with 17 Squadron in the Far East flying Spitfires.
On 24 April 1945 Derrick took part in a fighter sweep over the Toungoo area. Here they encountered a formation of Ki43's from the 64th Sentai, which were attacking a large Allied road convoy. Flt Lt B S Thompson and Fly Off K A Rutherford each claimed a Ki43 shot down.
Sgt Derrick Crawford failed to return from this sortie and was last seen with two Ki43's on his tail. It is possible he was shot down by Sgt Konishi.
Sgt Derrick Crawford was just 21 when he was shot down and killed. He is commemorated at the Singapore Memorial, column 451.
Commonwealth War Graves Commision
Air War for Burma by Chris Shores, Grub Street, London.
