Derrick Barrow 1918 – 2012

October 25th, 2012 by JCB
Posted in Obituaries | No Comments »

Derrick was born on 15^th June 1918 in West Hartlepool as an only child. He was educated in West Hartlepool and on 23^rd April 1934 he signed Indentures as an apprentice with Ropners.  He was to receive £6 for the first year, £8 for the second, £11 for the third year, and £15 for the fourth and final year, also 12 shillings per annum in lieu of washing. During one of his voyages as an apprentice the bosun died and Derrick was signed on as bosun (He states this was his proudest achievement). He concluded his indentures on 23^rd August 1938, and then continued his career with Ropners; receiving his first command in April 1947.

During the war he sailed on Atlantic, Russian and Pacific convoys.  His last convoy was to Rangoon with supplies for the invasion of Japan. The atomic bombs were detonated at Hiroshima and Nagasaki three days before they reached Rangoon. On 25^th May 1941 he married Patricia Florence Davies and advised his parents of the marriage by telegram.

Derrick received his first Pilots licence in 1952 and his Deep Sea Pilots Licence in 1972. During his career as a Pilot, he was commended by Trinity House “For acts of outstanding seamanship”.  He was piloting the Esso Fulham on 11^th July 1959, when a passenger on board P&O vessel Chusan fell overboard. Under his pilotage supervision the Esso Fulham rescued this passenger.

On 7^th October 1977 Derrick was appointed as a Younger Brother of Trinity House and retired from the Trinity House Pilotage Service in April 1984, after having served as a pilot for 31 years. Derrick and Patricia then retired to Spain.  However, after living there for three years they realised that they missed their family and returned to the UK. Patricia died in 2004 and Derrick died on 18^th January 2012, leaving 5 daughters, 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Michael Battrick (London & Cinque Ports retd.)