Remembering Derek Chilvers

Remembering Derek Chilvers

It is with sadness that we share news received from Derek Chilvers’ daughter, Kim, that Derek passed away shortly before his 88th birthday.

Many CyprusScene readers will remember Derek through a series of articles written by our late colleague Margaret Sheard, who first came into contact with him following, his return visit to Cyprus in 2012, some 53 years after serving on the island as a Rifleman with the Suffolk Regiment in 1958/59.

How it all began.

Margaret first came into contact with Derek after he returned to Cyprus in 2012, fifty-three years after leaving the island. His visit had been arranged by his daughter Kim and son-in-law Steve as a much-needed respite from his role as carer for his wife Shirley, who was then suffering from cancer. During that visit, Derek attended the Remembrance Day Service in Kyrenia with a former military colleague, an experience he described as uplifting and memorable.

And the friendship kept growing

What began as a request for photographs from that event developed into a lasting friendship between Margaret and Derek. Through their correspondence, Derek generously shared his photographs, recollections and personal experiences of Cyprus during a significant period in the island’s history, enabling Margaret to preserve those memories for CyprusScene readers around the world.

Now we have so many lovely memories

Today, as we remember Derek, we also remember Margaret, whose dedication to recording the stories of others ensured that those memories would not be lost. Together, their contribution forms a valuable part of the CyprusScene archive.

We extend our sincere condolences to Derek’s daughter Kim, his family, and friends. May he rest in peace.

This is the article, British Army memories in Cyprus 1958-1959, where Derek and Margaret started preserving the history of those past days and we also include here a vidio we made and featured in this article.

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