On the night of 27th / 28th July 1943 the crew of this 77 Squadron aircraft took off from Elvington airfield at 22.12hrs to undertake an operational flight to bomb Hamburg.
The Halifax was slightly damaged in the nose of the aircraft by a flak burst and the only damage may have been to the bomb aimer's perspex. The crew made a safe return to the UK and landed at Elvington at 03.28hrs.
Pilot - Acting S/Ldr Derek Harvey Duder RAFO (70192).
Flight Engineer - Sgt Bernard John Kearley RAFVR (1187219).
Navigator - Sgt Robert William Pendergrest RAFVR (1338526).
Bomb Aimer - Sgt Terence Frank Bolter RAFVR (1395164).
Wireless Operator - Sgt Ronald Frederick Walter RAFVR (1294708).
Air Gunner - Sgt Alexander Gartshore Stirling McCulloch RAF (532978).
Air Gunner - Sgt William Henry Frederick George Hagon RAFVR (1629767).
Second Pilot - Name unknown.
Bernard Kearley received a commission on 8th October 1943. P/O Kearley was killed on 29th January 1944 while flying in 77 Squadron Halifax LK729 on Ops to Berlin. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
Robert Pendergrest received a commission in August 1943. He, Sgt Walter and F/O Bolter were still serving with 77 Squadron on 20th December 1943 when he was killed as a result of Halifax LL125 being shot down by a night-fighter on Ops to Frankfurt. They are buried in Hotton War Cemetery. Terence Bolter evaded capture and returned to the UK. He was later awarded the DFC for service with 77 Squadron (which is probably as a result of his evasion), Gazetted on 14th November 1944. He survived the War.
Henry Hagon received a commission to the rank of P/O on probation on 19th August 1943. He received the DFC for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 23rd November 1943, the citation reads.."This officer was the rear gunner of an aircraft detailed to attack Kassel. Whilst over the target area, the bomber was intercepted by two enemy fighters but clever evading directions by Pilot Officer Hagon enabled his pilot to out-manoeuvre the enemy. A few minutes later a third fighter was observed at close range. Pilot Officer Hagon opened fire with devastating effect, causing the enemy aircraft to dive towards the ground, blazing furiously. This officer displayed great resolution and his alertness contributed materially to the success of the sortie." He was killed on 21st January 1944 while still flying with 77 Squadron, on this date he was flying in Halifax LL190 on Ops to Magdeburg when the aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter. He is buried in Berlin War Cemetery.
Alexander McCulloch received a commission on 22nd September 1943. He was later posted to 35 Squadron and made a PoW on 19th February 1944 when Halifax LV864 was shot down by a night-fighter. Post war he remained in the RAF until 1955.
Derek Duder was born in 1908 in Taunton, Devon. He joined the RAF in the late 1920s and would probably have received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation in 1928 or early 1929 but I have not located the exact entry in the records for this. He was confirmed as P/O on 3rd September 1929 and was promoted to F/O on 3rd March 1930. A "Mr Duder" joined the Gravesend aero club in Autumn 1935 and this may related to him. Under the terms of his commission he would probably have transferred from the RAF to the RAF Reserve of Officers in the mid 1930s but again not reference to this has yet been found. He appears to have been called up for actice service around the start of WW2 and served with 38 Squadron firstly in the UK and then in North Africa flying Wellingtons. He was promoted to F/Lt (war subs) on 5th June 1941 and while in the rank of Acting S/Ldr he was awarded the DFC for service with 38 Squadron, Gazetted on 10th June 1941. The citation for his DFC reads.."One night in April 1941, this officer carried out an attack against the aerodrome at Derna. Although the target area was partly obscured by cloud he descended to 2,000 feet, dropping his bombs on a cluster of enemy aircraft on the landing ground. Pressing home his attack from a height of 800 feet he machine-gunned aircraft dispersed on the ground in the face of intense light anti-aircraft fire and searchlight activity. Although his aircraft was severely damaged which caused it to fly in a most unstable manner, Squadron Leader Duder flew safely back to his base without further mishap. Throughout he displayed great courage and determination. Since August 1940, Squadron Leader Duder has carried out numerous operational missions." He would return to the UK and receive a posting to 77 Squadron in 1943. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 2nd June 1943 and was promoted to S/Ldr (Temp) on 1st July 1943. He was then awarded the DSO for service with 77 Squadron, Gazetted on 2nd November 1943. The citation for this award reads.. "Since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has completed many sorties. He has attacked his targets fearlessly and vigorously and thereby has achieved much success. Squadron Leader Duder is an ideal leader, whose example of sustained gallantry and devotion to duty has merited the highest praise." In 1944 he was commanding 298 Squadron SOE flying Halifaxes, towing gliders in support of the airborne assaults. In 1947 he was awarded the Belgian Order of Leopold (Chevalier) with Palme and Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palme. He remained in the RAFO until 22nd June 1954 and died in Devon in 1989.
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