Derek started sailing, following in his father's footsteps, on the Thames from an early age. Soon after leaving school, he volunteered for the Royal Air Force. After training as a pilot in Canada, he spent much of the war on special duties, including supplying the resistance movement in occupied countries, as well as occasional special bombing operations, and for his wartime service, he was awarded the D.F.C. In subsequent years he resumed flying his aircraft into France, but this time to quite different destinations, most generously ferring RORC race officers to distant harbours.

A great racing man, he had early racing success with his Class III Pym and had been Commodore of the RAF Yacht Club 1962-65.

Derek had several ocean racers built for him in Cowes by Clare Lallow. Clarian of Wight (part-owned by Dennis Miller) with which he won the Fastnet race. Clarion was a member of the Admirals Cup team, and Derek was made Yachtsman of the Year. In 1965 Lallows built the very successful Clarionet and in 1971 Carillion.

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More Info...This can be found in THE ISLAND SAILING CLUB HISTORY BOOK 1889 - 2014