Derek Charles Bevan – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

 Aircraftman 2nd Class Derek Charles Bevan – Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Birth and Family Background

Derek Charles Bevan

Derek Charles Bevan was born in 1923 at Oystermouth. He was the son of Charles Bevan and Jane Louney, who were married in 1914 at Neath.

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the Bevan family were residing at Tichborn, Hillside, Oystermouth. Charles Bevan (35) was employed as a gardener, working for Charles Rowe, Market Gardener. His wife Jane (29), born at Briton Ferry, undertook household duties. Their only child at this time was Annie E. (5). Also present in the household was a visitor, Elizabeth Louney (56), who was employed as a cook with Taylor & Sons Foundry.

Military Service

Derek Charles Bevan enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and held the rank of Aircraftman 2nd Class. He was based at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, serving with No. 3 Operational Training Unit, which undertook training duties for Coastal Command.

Death and Burial

Herald of Wales

The Herald of Wales reported that Aircraftman 2nd Class Derek Charles Bevan was accidentally killed on 22^nd August 1942.

In 1942, the Royal Air Force was conducting intensive training operations across the United Kingdom, and air accidents were a frequent and tragic occurrence, particularly within Operational Training Units preparing personnel for operational service. Aircraft were flown continuously in demanding conditions, and incidents arising from training exercises, ground accidents, or mechanical failure were common. Aircraftman 2nd Class Derek Charles Bevan was accidentally killed on 22^nd August 1942 while serving with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a loss consistent with the non-operational training accidents that accounted for many RAF casualties during the Second World War.

Derek Charles Bevan
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

His body was returned home, and he was buried at Oystermouth Cemetery.