AN "inspirational" war hero who served with the RAF during WW2 has celebrated his 100th birthday.
Derrick Morris flew in 30 operations in Lancaster Bombers and was awarded the 1934-1945 Star, the Bomber Command Clasp, The France and Germany Star and the 1939-1945 War medal for his heroic efforts.
Great-great grandfather Derrick, who now lives at Two Gates Care Home in Colley Gate, celebrated his centenary on November 7 with a visit from RAF Squadron leaders Chris Wilson and Dave Kerrison, as well as a large family party.
Derrick’s distinguished career with the RAF began when he volunteered with colleague Charlie Summers in April 1943.
Charlie became a Spitfire pilot, while Derrick was allotted to Bomber Command and became a flight engineer.
During training his P.E. instructor was the heavy-weight boxer, Jack London.
On 03 January 1944, Derrick was given his wings and promoted to Sergeant and later Warrant Officer.
He flew in 30 operations in Lancaster Bombers before being released on 24 April 1946.
On leaving the RAF, Derrick refused his war medals on the principle of the way that Bomber Command and especially ‘Bomber Harris’ had been treated with no recognition of their part in final victory.
However with the final recognition and a belated bomber command clasp, in 2012 and the insistence of his daughter Elaine, he finally applied and received his medals.
Their first daughter, Elaine was born in 1946 and in 1950 they moved to 1, Compton Grove, Colley Gate.
Lily lost a son when Elaine was seven, but they then had a daughter, Nadia in 1962. When Nadia was six, Lily died aged just 47.
Derrick was born on November 7, 1924 at Graingers Lane in Cradley Heath.
He lived there with his parents, grandmother and two sisters.
His grandmother kept a shop and when the baker and milkman arrived with their carts to share ‘snuff’ with his gran, Derrick would often take loaves and milk from the carts to poor families who lived at Porters Field nearby.
One day his mother noticed sports-loving Derrick had a limp and took him to the local doctor, Dr Cameron, who drove them to Birmingham Children's Hospital where it was found he had a TB hip.
He was placed in plaster and put into a wicker carriage for the next six months.
He was taken weekly to Birmingham hospital to have the leg stretched, without this he would have had a club foot.
Daughter Elaine Smith said: "He was forever grateful to that doctor."
Derrick attended Lowmey Town School, Corngreaves School and Wrights Lane Secondary School, Old Hill.
On leaving school his dad told him he was to become a draughtsman and at age 14 he started work at Stewarts and Lloyds, Halesowen.
He then attended Dudley College and did his homework by candlelight. He eventually became a senior draughtsman and a work-study engineer.
Elaine said: "Dad was an accomplished gardener all his life, growing amazing flowers and vegetables winning many awards for this.
"He was still gardening up to the age of 95 after one hip, two knee and two shoulder replacements due to severe arthritis."
He has two daughters, five grandchildren, and eight (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
Elaine said: "He is inspirational and sometimes opinionated, but is loved and greatly admired by his family."
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