Roll of Honour - Cambridgeshire - Cambridge University, Trinity College World War 2

A memorial service was held at St. Andrews, Freckenham, on Sunday, for Lieut, Derek Leaf, D.S.O., R.N.V.R., who lost his life this month leading what was officially described as “a gallant and successful action against heavy odds.”

Lieut. Leaf, who was well known in Cambridge, was born at Camberley in 1918, and educated at St. Peters Court, Broadstairs, and Marlborough College, where he gained a mathematical scholarship in 1931. In 1937 he took part in a scientific expedition to the Artic, led by James Wordie, wh0 had been with Capt. Scott in the Antartic. On his return he came up to Trinity College, Cambridge, and was given a war degree in geography.

His interested included modern languages, archaeology, shooting and photography; he was also a skilled draughtsman and a keen chess-player.

LIFE INTEREST IN SAILING

Having been interested in sailing boats from childhood, in 1936 he was runner-up in the Public Schools sailing. Championship, and in 1938 was one of the crew which won for England the European 24-square-metres championship on the Wannsee, near Berlin.

When the war broke out Lieut. Leaf, already. a member of the R.N.V.S.R., was taking, part in an expedition to survey Bay Islands, Honduras, but returned home and joined a ship. During the winter of 1939-40 he was on Contraband Duty, whence he transferred to .M.G.B.s in 1940. In the course of his four years’ service in M.G.B.s he was twice wounded, was awarded the D.S.C. in 1941, and was later mentioned in despatches.

A tribute from a naval officer speaks of him as “one o the most outstandingly brave, efficient and intrepid young commanding officers of the Coastal Forces.”

His father, Lieut. Charles Leaf, is Commodore of the Cam Sailing Club.

Among those present at the naval funeral were: Mrs. Derek Leaf (widow), Lieut. Charles Leaf, Royal Marines (father), the Hon. Mrs. Leaf (mother). Miss Froydis Leaf., 2nd officer A.T.A. (sister), Mrs. Orr (mother-in-law), Capt. Gordon Orr, R.A.S.C. (brother-in-law),The Senior Officers of the naval base, members of the W.R.N.S., and a large number of his brother officers and men. Among numerous friends present were; Sir Thomas Jackson, .BArt., D.S.O., M V.O. and Lady Jackson; Capt. Feit, R.N., representing Lord and Lady SomerIeyton.

The Rev. L. Sowden conducted the memorial service, and among those present were: Hon. Mrs. Leaf (mother), Miss Freydis Leaf (sister), Mrs. Douglas West (aunt), the Freckenham branch of the Home Guard and British Legion, Mrs. Harold Shann, O.B.E., representing the Suffolk branch of the B.R.C.S., members of the B.R.C.S. Detachment, Suffolk 40, and of the Cadet Unit attached to Suffolk 40, members of the National. Fire Service, Admiral Sir Herbert end Lady Richmond, the Rev. J. G. and Mrs. Perdue, Mrs. Hyde 'Smith, 'Major and Mrs. Grimshaw, the Lady Hyde, Mrs. Sowden, Mrs. R. Warde (from Chippenham), Mrs. Cor Visser.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, TRINITY COLLEGE WORLD WAR 2 WAR MEMORIAL