The War Memorials of Barwick in Elmet & Scholes

Sub Lt. D. Hockenhull

Sub Lt. D. Hockenhull

Temporary Acting Sub Lieutenant (A) Derrick Hockenhull,
Observer, 823 Squardon, HMS Daedalus,
Fleet Air Arm, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Sub Lt. (A) Derrick Hockenhull, RNVR (Yorkshire Evening Post, 20 April 1942)

Derrick Hockenhull was the son of Hugh Lupus, and Elsie Hockenhull, of Leeds Road, Scholes. He was educated at Leeds Grammar School and before the joining the RNVR worked on the staff of the Motor Union Insurance Company. He had served in the ranks for two years before being commissioned. He was based at HMS Daedalus, the Royal Naval Air Station, Lee on Solent and served as a Sub Lt (A) with 823 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, as an Observer. He was 20 years old.
Fleet Air Arm Observer's Badge

Derrick Hockenhull died at the Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, as a result of injuries sustained when his Albacore aircraft (X9277) accidentally crashed into the water of Stokes Bay, in the Solent, immediately south of Browndown. His pilot, Sub Lt William Jeffrey Coward, also from 823 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, but serving with HMS Landrail was killed in the crash and was already dead when he was recovered from the aircraft. Sub Lt Coward was the son of William Henry and Beatrice Coward of Sunderland. In a sense, both families were more fortunate than most who lost a loved one during wartime, as they were both able to bury their sons in cemeteries local to their homes rather than abroad. William Coward is buried Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland. This is a large cemetery which has over 400 Commonwealth War Graves Commission burials in it.
The Grave of Derrick Hockenhull in Barwick

Derrick Hockenhull's father's given names are unusual, but this combination of Hugh Lupus was the same as the 1st Duke of Westminster of the Grosvenor family who have estates and a country seat at Ecclestone near Chester in Cheshire. Hugh Lupus Hockenhull was born at Chester in 1885 where the Grosvenor family own much land and property. It is likely that his father (a brewer’s agent) named his son Hugh Lupus as a mark of his respect for the Duke of Westminster.
The Hockenhulls volunteered to have evacuated children billeted with them during the early part of the war.

Derrick Hockenhull is buried in the churchyard of All Saints Church in Barwick.
© Nigel Marshall 2006 - 2024