Derek Harland Ward | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 31 July 1917 Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Died | 17 June 1942 (aged 24) Egypt |
| Allegiance | New Zealand United Kingdom |
| Service | Royal New Zealand Air Force (1937–1938) Royal Air Force (1938–1942) |
| Years of service | 1937–1942 |
| Rank | Squadron Leader |
| Commands | No. 73 Squadron (1941–1942) |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross & bar |
Derek Harland Ward, DFC & Bar (31 July 1917 – 17 June 1942) was a New Zealand flying ace of the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War. He was credited with having shot down six German aircraft.
Born in Whangārei, Ward joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1937. Gaining his pilot's wings by the end of the year, he then obtained a short service commission in the RAF. He flew Hawker Hurricane fighters with No. 151 Squadron during the early part of the Second World War. He then joined No. 87 Squadron while it was engaged in the Battle of France and the subsequent Battle of Britain. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in October 1941. The following month he was appointed commander of No. 73 Squadron, based in Egypt. He led the squadron in numerous operational missions during the North African campaign, escorting bombers and carrying offensive sweeps on enemy airfields and installations. He was awarded a bar to his DFC in May 1942. Ward was shot down and killed by the German flying ace Hans-Joachim Marseille on 17 June 1942.