Early Life and Education

Edward Whitney “Bud” Draper was born on Monday 23^rd October 1922, at No. 3 Hamilton Road in Wallasey, Cheshire. He was the son of William Edward Draper [1891-1947], who worked in the cotton business and Theresa Magdalene Draper (née Whitney) [1894-1976]. Edward had two siblings: an older brother, William, [1920-1920], and a younger sister, Sylvia, born in 1928.

Edward began his education at Braeside Preparatory School in West Kirby, Cheshire. The school was situated in two semi-detached Victorian houses, with its playing field located across the road. Although the playing field remains, the school itself closed before the outbreak of the Second World War, and the houses were converted back to private residences. Notably, one of the houses, No. 17, continues to carry the name “Braeside.” As of 2012, remnants of graffiti left by former pupils could still be found on the staircase, serving as a lasting reminder of the school’s history.

An advert for the school published in 1901 stated;

The Rev. A.G. Cox (late scholar of Hertford College, Oxford and Assistant Master of Bromsgrove and Birkenhead Schools) receives boys from 7 to 15 years of age to prepare them for the Public Schools. Both at Bromsgrove (for 2.5 years) and at Birkenhead (for 9 years), Mr. Cox acted in the capacity of House Master in the School House, and had special opportunities for becoming thoroughly acquainted with the internal management and discipline of a Boarding School.

The School Course includes instruction in Latin, Greek, French, Mathematics (German, Music, Singing and Drawing, if required), together with a general knowledge of the Bible. It is Mr. Cox’s aim to maintain a high moral as well as intellectual standard. He feels that the development of character must necessarily be largely guided by the influences brought to bear upon a young boy at school, and he endeavours to pay as much attention to each individual out of school hours as well as the classroom. He hopes the boys entrusted to him will be prepared in every way for the wider life of the Public Schools.

Mr. Cox has the assistance of Resident Masters for French and Mathematics, and of Music and Singing Teachers, and Drill Sergeant.

The domestic arrangements are in the hands of a Lady Matron, who does everything to secure the comfort and health of the boys.

The House stands in a very healthy position; there is a Carpenter’s Shop and an excellent Gymnasium attached to the school as well as a field for cricket and football, commanding a full view of the mountains and the sea.

Wrekin College and Military Service

In September 1936, Edward Whitney “Bud” Draper began attending Wrekin College as a member of York House [J.R. Frost, OBE, TD, MA]. During his years at the school, Edward showed his talent for sport by playing for his house in both the Rugby Junior XV and the Cricket Junior XI teams and the school in the Second XV [for which he obtained his colours in 1940] and the Third Cricket XI in 1941.

Within the OTC he attained the rank of Sergeant and was appointed the Corps Drum Major in 1940. His Housemaster's reports during the time he spent at Wrekin College show that he struggled academically in the early years in a number of subjects and as the years progressed comments such as "does not always do his best" changed to "keen & helpful", "much improved", and with a "more mature attitude". Appointed a House Prefect in his final year he was still regarded as "an indifferent disciplinarian", and at the end of his final term was "Apparently, quite sound". While school reports are subjective, more often than not they do not give a foretaste as to how a young person might develop into adulthood. The reports of Winston Churchill from Harrow are a classic case in point.

A contemporary and friend of Arthur Roy Pickin [S 1937-41] who lost his life in 1948 during the Malayan Emergency.

Royal Air Force Career

Upon leaving school in 1941, Edward joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve where he had been selected for a commission. He completed his early flying training in the state of Texas, USA. On Saturday 27^th February 1943, he was commissioned as a Pilot Officer and served in various home commands throughout World War II flying Spitfires, Hurricanes and later the Avro Anson.

Marriage and Family

Edward had met his future bride-to-be, Beryl Holt-Brush (1921-2003) whilst she was serving with the WRAF. On at least one occasion he was known to have taken a flight from his base at RAF Llanbedr with 631 Squadron to meet her at RAF West Kirby. They were married on Saturday 14^th April 1945, in Heswall, Cheshire. The couple had two children: Christine Anne Draper (1946–2021) and Simon Anthony Draper, born in 1949.

Advancement in the RAF

After the war Edward briefly left the RAF to go to University but with a wife and daughter to support he decided that a return to the service was a financial necessity with no loss of seniority. Edward was appointed Flight Lieutenant on 5^th November 1948, with seniority dating from 27^th August 1946. He transferred to the General Duties Branch on a short service commission, which included six years on the active list and four years in the reserve. In 1949, his seniority rating was amended to 25^th September 1947. On 6^th July 1956, Edward was granted a permanent commission in the RAF. His time in the service within the UK saw him and his family establish homes in a number of RAF bases across the country.

Family Relocation & Service in Malaya

On 26^th April 1957 Edward left Southampton on board "HMT Empire Orwell¹" bound for Singapore to join 155 Squadron at RAF Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. There, he was to fly the Westland Whirlwind HAR4 helicopter in roles that included casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and troop movement. As this was an 'accompanied' posting his wife and two children journeyed with him, together with a total of 110 wives and 152 children of other travelling RAF personnel destined for the Far East. 

Royal Air Force Operations During the Malayan Emergency

The RAF played a crucial role in the Malayan Emergency, conducting operations collectively known as "Operation Firedog". These activities primarily consisted of ground attacks to support British and Commonwealth troops, as well as transporting essential supplies throughout the conflict.

To accomplish these objectives, the RAF utilised a diverse array of aircraft. They employed the newly introduced Avro Lincoln heavy bomber and Short Sunderland flying boats to strike positions held by the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA). The evolution of air power during the Emergency was marked by the introduction of jet aircraft; in 1950, de Havilland Vampires replaced the Spitfires of No. 60 Squadron, providing enhanced ground attack capabilities. This progression continued in 1955 with the deployment of English Electric Canberra jet bombers, further strengthening the RAF's operational effectiveness.

In response to the unique challenges presented by jungle warfare, the RAF established the Casualty Evacuation Flight in early 1953. This unit was tasked with extracting wounded personnel from the dense jungle terrain, utilising early helicopters such as the Westland Dragonfly. These helicopters were capable of landing in small clearings, ensuring timely medical evacuation. The RAF later advanced to using Westland Whirlwind helicopters, enabling the swift deployment of troops directly into the jungle, thereby enhancing their operational reach and flexibility.

Tragic Accident and Legacy

On Friday 20^th September 1957, a formation of five Whirlwind HAR4 helicopters took off from RAF Johore in Malaya. During the flight, one of the aircraft, XJ413², suffered a catastrophic tail rotor failure and crashed into the jungle canopy five miles north-northeast of Slim River, Padang. The accident claimed the lives of Flight Lieutenant Edward Draper and his three fellow crew members. Edward was 34 years old at the time. While the remains of the crew were later recovered, the wreckage of the aircraft was left to be reclaimed by the jungle.

Burial

Edward Whitney “Bud” Draper was laid to rest in Cheras Road Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur. A little while later his widow and children were flown home to the UK never to return. However, a few years ago Edward Jack Draper, one of his grandsons visited the grave to pay his respects on behalf of the family.

Edward is also commemorated by name on the Armed Forces Memorial located within the 150-acre National Memorial Arboretum³ in Staffordshire.

Medallic Recognition: Defence Medal [1939-45], War Medal [1939-45], General Service Medal with ‘Malaya’ clasp

1. Empire Orwell built in Hamburg, Germany and launched in July 1936 as ‘TS Pretoria’. Requisitioned in 1939 by the Kriegsmarine and used as a submarine depot ship. Converted to a hospital ship in 1940. Seized in May 1945 by the Allies as a War Prize at Copenhagen, and served as the ‘Empire Doon’ until 1950 when she underwent a major refit and became the ‘Empire Orwell’. She was sold to the Blue Funnel Line in 1958 and then again in 1979 she was sold again to the Indonesian navy and spent her last years trooping as the 'KRI Tanjung Pandan'. She was scrapped in Taiwan in 1987.
    
2. XJ 413 was first flown in November 1954 and delivered to the RAF in December 1954.
    
3. The estate will become the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens in September 2026, following a full integration with their parent charity, the Royal British Legion (RBL).

My thanks to Simon Draper for sharing memories of his father and the use of the images from his collection.

The Elizabeth Cross

Background and Purpose

The Elizabeth Cross is a national award that recognises the profound loss and sacrifice endured by the families of service personnel who have lost their lives while serving on operations in the line of duty, or as a result of acts of terrorism.

Historical Context

Introduced in 2009, the Elizabeth Cross is named after Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Its creation marked the first occasion since the institution of the George Cross in 1940 by King George VI that a reigning monarch had given their name to a new award. Prior to this, the Victoria Cross had been established by Queen Victoria in 1856 to recognise acts of gallantry by members of the Armed Forces.

Eligibility

The Elizabeth Cross is available to the families of military personnel who died in conflicts dating back to 1948. Eligible conflicts include the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Falklands conflict, operations in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, as well as more recent engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Award Details

Recipients receive two sterling silver emblems: a full-size version for formal Remembrance events, and a miniature version suitable for less formal occasions. The name of the individual in whose memory the cross is awarded is engraved on the reverse. In addition to the emblems, a memorial scroll is also presented to the family.

A copy of this story is available for download here.