Life story retold by Paul Beecroft with additional information and photos from Tony Stevens, great-nephew of Derrick. Thank you to Derrick’s family for the additional information and photos shared.
D.F. HOLDER
1435387 AIRCRAFTMAN 1ST CLASS
ROYAL AIR FORCE
4TH SEPTEMBER 1942
This casualty is currently commemorated by Special Memorial at this cemetery. Recent research has identified the casualty’s grave and the Commission is in the process of installing a headstone to mark it.
Derrick Frank HOLDER was born in Reading in 1923. His parents were Albert HOLDER and Rose HOLDER (nee BARWICK). They married in Reading in 1911 and lived at 84, Hatherley Road, Reading. The 1911 census just prior to their marriage shows their occupations as Biscuit Factory Labourers. They were no doubt employed at Huntley and Palmers.
The marriage resulted in four children, Albert William (1912-1988), Audrey (1916-2000), Stanley D. (1926-1943) and Derrick who was the third born and second son. In 1916 Albert (senior) was ‘called up’ for Military Service and served during WWI. When Derrick was born the family were living at 54, Blenheim Gardens, Reading.
Derrick was educated at Redlands School and was a keen footballer and swimmer. On leaving school he became a painter and decorator and was employed by Mr. Smith of Highgrove Street.
In May, 1941 at the age of 18 he joined the Royal Air Force to serve his country during World War II. Nothing is known of his time in the RAF until September 1942 by which time he is an Aircraftman 1st Class.
On September 4th, 1942, Derrick was taking part in an exercise when he was tragically killed. What happened remains a mystery. The exact circumstances were not revealed but Derrick was shot by another airman.
On Friday, 18th September, The Reading Standard reported his death:
THE ROLL OF HONOUR
ON ACTIVE SERVICE
A./C.1 DERRICK F. HOLDER
A./C.1 Derrick Frank Holder, R.A.F. Regiment, aged 19, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Holder, of 54, Blenheim Gardens, Reading, has been reported killed on active service. He volunteered for the Royal Air Force in May, 1941.
Following his funeral Derrick was buried in Reading Old Cemetery. He is commemorated in the War Plot in Division 71-72. His grave is in Division 10. As of 2023 the CWGC website states: Recent research has identified the casualty’s grave and the Commission is in the process of installing a headstone to mark it.
The reporting of Derrick’s death in The Reading Standard was not reported in the newspaper until after his funeral had taken place. The same newspaper for 11th September printed a personal message from the family:
Mr. and Mrs. HOLDER and FAMILY wish to express their sincere appreciation of the sympathy shown in their bereavement by so many friends and for the beautiful floral tributes sent.
54, Blenheim Gardens.
Following an investigation an airman was charged with manslaughter and appeared in court in December 1942. The Nottingham Journal on Thursday, 17th December reported the following:
Manslaughter Charge
Aircraftman Acquitted
A case involving a charge of manslaughter against [Name withheld] (20), aircraftman in an R.A.F. regiment, was stopped by the jury at Hampshire Assizes yesterday.
[Name] who was charged with shooting another aircraftman, Derrick Frank Holder, with a Service rifle during an exercise was found “Not guilty” and discharged.
A further report appeared in The Evening Telegraph:
Manslaughter Charge Against Aircraftman Dropped
A case involving a charge of manslaughter against [Name] a 20 year-old aircraftman in an R.A.F. Regiment, was stopped by the jury at Hampshire Assizes to-day.
[Name] who had been charged with shooting with a service rifle another aircraftman, Derrick Frank Holder at Quarley, Andover during an exercise, was found not guilty and discharged.
The adjutant of the squadron said a Service court of inquiry had not brought home to anyone the responsibility for firing the shot which killed Holder.
Mr. Scott Henderson, defending, said [Name] was convinced he had not fired the round.
It would appear that the final result, following the investigation was that Derrick’s death was accidental.
In September, 1943, a total of three personal messages were printed in The Reading Standard:
On Active Service
HOLDER.- In memory of A.C.1 Derrick Holder. R.A.F. killed on active service Sept. 4, 1942, third son of Mr. and Mrs. Holder, 54, Blenheim Gardens, Reading.
“Greater love hath no man.”
HOLDER.- In loving memory of A.C.1 Derrick Holder, R.A.F. killed on active service Sept. 4. 1942.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
From Alf and Vi, 52, Rupert Street, Reading.
HOLDER.- In loving memory of our dear brother Derrick Holder, R.A.F. killed on active service, Sept. 4. 1942.
From Audrey and Bill, Alf, Vi and Kiddies.
The personal messages from the family continued to be printed in the newspaper throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s. The family also lost another son. Stanley died of cancer in Battle Hospital on June 6th 1943. He and Derrick were very close.
Stanley and both parents Rose and Albert Holder Senior are buried in the cemetery in Division 10.
Derrick was commemorated on a plaque in the cemetery War Plot along with the other WW2 casualties. In 2024 CWGC erected individual headstones for the individuals listed on that stone.
Division 10, Row K, Plot number 15099