Flying Officer 78373 (Pilot Instructor) Terence Norman Alderdice.

Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

Killed in an accident at Botcheston, near Desford, Leics. on the 17th November 1943 aged 33 years. His De Havilland Tiger Moth N6484 crashed on approach to Desford. His Death Certificate gives the cause of death 'Due to War Operations'.

Buried in Rothley Cemetery in a Commonwealth War Grave. The grave inscription is 'ETERNAL REST GIVE UNTO HIM O LORD.

Son of Norman Hewitt and Frances Elizabeth Alderdice, husband to Margaret and living in Brownhill Crescent, Rothley at the time of his death.

The Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR) was formed in 1936 to provide individuals to supplement the Auxiliary Air Force (AAF) which had been formed in 1925 by the local Territorial Associations. The RAFVR was made up of civilians recruited from Reserve Flying Schools who had previously completed a four year short service commission as pilots in the RAF. Recruits were normally confined to men between the ages of 18 and 25 years who had been accepted for part time training as Pilots, Observers and Wireless Operators. The object was to provide a reserve air crew for use in the event of war. By September 1939 the RAFVR comprised 6,646 Pilots, 1,625 Observers and 1,946 Wireless Operators.

By the end of 1941 more than half of Bomber Command aircrew were members of the RAFVR.

Named on the Rothley War Memorial, Parish Church Book of Remembrance, Parish Church Triptych Roll of Honour and Rothley Park Golf Club Roll of Honour.