Bob Bacon
11-03-2007, 19:35
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Cpl Derek Humphreys MM was killed on the 12th November 1958, whilst on operations against EOKA terrorists in Cyprus, he was 23yrs old. Derek was a Section Commander with 10 Platoon D Coy 1RWF. He was returning to base with his vehicle-mounted platoon, after destroying an EOKA munitions dump, when the convoy was ambushed on a cliff road near Polystipos. The lead vehicle was allowed to pass the ambush point and the explosives were detonated under the second vehicle, killing Cpl Humphreys and wounding LCpl Bryant, Fusiliers Bolton, Parton, Jones 14, Porter, Meacock, Morris 32, Marine Ivel and a local interpreter.
His death was described as a grievous loss to the regiment.
The son of Thomas and Kathleen Humphreys from North Wales, Derek was an experienced NCO who had previously been awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the regiments 2nd Battalion in Malaya in 1956. His gallantry award was earned over the period 16/17 September 1956, whilst conducting search and destroy operations against the Communists in the mountainous Kuala Pilah District.
His award announced in the London Gazette read as follows: For outstanding skill and leadership in action against Communist terrorists during jungle operations in Malaya
During the operation, whilst employed as a section commander with 7 Platoon C Company 2 RWF, he conducted a recce patrol and located a sizeable terrorist base. He then managed to withdraw his patrol without the enemy being aware of the team’s presence, back to his platoon base some 1500 metres away. The Company Commander Major Hilditch, fearing the terrorists would become aware of his company’s activity in the area, decided to seize the moment and attack that very same afternoon.
During the assault against the terrorist base, Cpl Humphreys acted as a guide and assisted in the deployment of 9 Platoon as the cordon, commanded by Sjt O’Sullivan, with 7 Platoon conducting the main attack. The cordon was placed within 50 metres of the enemy without them being aware of the patrol’s presence. The action resulted in 6 terrorists being killed. Both Cpl Humphreys and Sjt O'Sullivan were awarded Military Medals.
Cpl Humphreys received a military burial in Cyprus conducted by his comrades. He was initially interred in the British Military Cemetery at Waynes Keep Nicosia. Later at his family’s request Derek was repatriated to the UK and re-interred within a family plot at Mold Cemetery, North Wales. The grave is very well kept and tended regularly by his family. The inscription on his headstone reads:
“On whose soul, sweet Jesus have mercy"”
Cpl Derek Humphreys MM was killed on the 12th November 1958, whilst on operations against EOKA terrorists in Cyprus, he was 23yrs old. Derek was a Section Commander with 10 Platoon D Coy 1RWF. He was returning to base with his vehicle-mounted platoon, after destroying an EOKA munitions dump, when the convoy was ambushed on a cliff road near Polystipos. The lead vehicle was allowed to pass the ambush point and the explosives were detonated under the second vehicle, killing Cpl Humphreys and wounding LCpl Bryant, Fusiliers Bolton, Parton, Jones 14, Porter, Meacock, Morris 32, Marine Ivel and a local interpreter.
His death was described as a grievous loss to the regiment.
The son of Thomas and Kathleen Humphreys from North Wales, Derek was an experienced NCO who had previously been awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the regiments 2nd Battalion in Malaya in 1956. His gallantry award was earned over the period 16/17 September 1956, whilst conducting search and destroy operations against the Communists in the mountainous Kuala Pilah District.
His award announced in the London Gazette read as follows: For outstanding skill and leadership in action against Communist terrorists during jungle operations in Malaya
During the operation, whilst employed as a section commander with 7 Platoon C Company 2 RWF, he conducted a recce patrol and located a sizeable terrorist base. He then managed to withdraw his patrol without the enemy being aware of the team’s presence, back to his platoon base some 1500 metres away. The Company Commander Major Hilditch, fearing the terrorists would become aware of his company’s activity in the area, decided to seize the moment and attack that very same afternoon.
During the assault against the terrorist base, Cpl Humphreys acted as a guide and assisted in the deployment of 9 Platoon as the cordon, commanded by Sjt O’Sullivan, with 7 Platoon conducting the main attack. The cordon was placed within 50 metres of the enemy without them being aware of the patrol’s presence. The action resulted in 6 terrorists being killed. Both Cpl Humphreys and Sjt O'Sullivan were awarded Military Medals.
Cpl Humphreys received a military burial in Cyprus conducted by his comrades. He was initially interred in the British Military Cemetery at Waynes Keep Nicosia. Later at his family’s request Derek was repatriated to the UK and re-interred within a family plot at Mold Cemetery, North Wales. The grave is very well kept and tended regularly by his family. The inscription on his headstone reads:
“On whose soul, sweet Jesus have mercy"”