From the age of sixteen in 1940, Derek Foster took the first step towards playing his part in the war by joining the Air Training Corps.

Until his enlistment in the Fleet Air Arm Derek had a job as a young reporter on the evening paper in York. As part of his duties he had the difficult task of interviewing bereaved relatives of servicemen killed in action, to find information for the newspaper.

After his training as a Telegraphist Air Gunner Derek’s first posting was to the North Atlantic, serving with 825 Squadron aboard HMS Vindex flying in Swordfish aircraft equipped with radar detection. This British-built escort carrier was part of Captain Walker’s D Group of Destroyers searching for German submarines.

By November 1944 Derek was on a troopship heading for service in the Far East. He re-trained on the Grumman Avenger aircraft, using new radio equipment and firing the .5 Browning. HMS Victorious, as part of Taskforce 57, carried fourteen Avenger crews and also Corsair fighter squadrons. Derek’s aircraft carried four 500lb bombs for dropping on enemy runways and buildings. The Victorious suffered damage from Kamikaze aircraft while Derek was airborne on a bombing mission.

After three months attacking Japanese islands, Derek’s second tour, as part of Taskforce 37, involved going further north to attack the Japanese mainland and Okinawa. His service in the Pacific continued until 10 August 1945 and on the return voyage he heard that the atom bomb had been dropped.

In March 2000 Derek Foster visited the Centre to be tape-recorded by Peter Liddle and to deposit a wonderful collection of Second World War material. We are proud to preserve this collection which includes Derek’s flying log-book, two photograph albums and a book with instructions in Chinese telling the finder what to do if the carrier is found injured.

Card with instructions in Chinese of what to do if the bearer is found injured

   Transcript:

• The man holding this paper is a member of the Allied Forces.
• He has become separated from the rest of the Allied Forces. Will you look after him so that he can rejoin them?
• He is not able to ask in Chinese for everything he needs, so you should anticipate his wants.
• Bring him drinking water.
• Give him food, such as fowls, vegetables, rice and other suitable foods.
• Hide this man and keep his presence a secret. The Japanese must not learn of his whereabouts.
• If he is unable to walk, make a stretcher and carry him.
• Let one man take the British Government’s letter to the village chief.
• He will sign and give you a paper, and later the British Government will give you a good reward.

“The boss ” (Lord Louis Mountbatten), 2nd right looks around at Trincomalee

“Aircrews man the aircraft”

The caption from Derek’s album simply reads: “It just came off in me ‘and!”

News Bulletin on H.M.S. Victorious announcing the unconditional surrender of Japan

H.M.S. VICTORIOUS 15th AUGUST 1945

VICTORY

The unconditional surrender of Japan to the Allies was announced simultaneously today in Washington, London, Chungking and Moscow. Japan has accepted the terms of the Potsdam Declaration “without qualification”.

President Truman, on behalf of the Allies, has sent the following instructions to the Japanese:

Cease all hostilities immediately and notify the Supreme Allied Commanders when this order is fully complied with.

Send emissaries at once to the Supreme Allied Commander.

General Douglas MacArthur has been named Supreme Allied Commander and he will notify the Japanese emissaries of the time and place of the formal surrender.

VJ Day will not be announced until Japanese signatures are on the surrender document. The President, in announcing the victory, called this day the ‘Day of the Democracies’.

In England the King will address the opening session of the New Parliament tomorrow. Mr. Winston Churchill will take the floor as leader of the opposition.

Admiral Nimitz has issued a cease fire order to all warships in the Pacific and Gen. MacArthur announces that troops for the occupation of Japan are ready.

Breaking all tradition, Emperor Hirohito spoke directly to the Japanese people by radio at noon today. He told them that he had resorted to this “extraordinary measure” (surrender) and warned them to: “Beware of outbursts of emotion and internal strife”. People are reported to be gathered outside the Emperor’s palace, “weeping because of their unworthiness”.

General Anami, the Japanese war minister, committed suicide last night.

Tokyo radio does not use the word surrender in its broadcasts to the Japanese, but refers to the “Imperial Decision”. The people were told today that they should now concentrate on culture and industry.

China and Russia have signed a Treaty of friendship in Moscow.

Book for Chinese communication

“The ship. H.M.S. Victorious at Leyte, Philippine Islands, May 1945, with the aircraft, Corsairs and Avengers, on deck”

Instructions on use of the Book for Chinese communication

From the Book for Chinese communication

Inventory of the Donation  – Accession Number 2000.0476

• Tape-recorded
• Book for Chinese communication and a card with instructions in Chinese of what to do if the carrier is found injured
• Flying log book
• 2 photo albums and some loose photographs
• Souvenir of Sydney
• Photocopied articles
• Bulletin announcing the surrender of Japan
• Novelty certificate (King Neptune Proclamation)
• Chinese/Japanese leaflet