LOCAL author Richy Sutton has published a new book on Warrington-based Cold War Veteran Derek Vernon, who guarded notorious Nazi’s Rudolph Hess and Albert Speer at Berlin’s Spandau Prison.
Derek Vernon – A Cold War Veteran – in his own words, ” is the latest book published by Sutton, who met Warrington Town’s oldest ballboy at the club where he is a long-time director.
Derek, who regular attended games with his son Derek jnuior will be 90 this Christmas is absolutely delighted with the book which covers his time in Berlin from 1956 – 58 where he guarded Nazi’s Rudolph Hess and Albert Speer at Berlin’s Spandau Prison and a period in charge of a team that helped to re – wire RAF Gatow airport in Berlin where Winston Churchill used to land. Hess and Speer landed at Gatow Airport following the Nuremburg trials before being transferred to Spandau Prison.
Derek senior has also been labelled as Warrington Town’s oldest unofficial ballboy, as he has collected and returned over 50 balls over the years whilst walking the dog along the Manchester Ship Canal.
Notorious child killers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady also feature in the book. Derek’s best friend, Frank Keogh, who is pictured on the book’s cover alongside friend Ron Bates, lived in Gorton (Chalmers Street), which was close to Myra Hindley, who lived literally 200 yards away on Bannock Street with her nan.
Derek and his wife drank in the same pubs, The Steelworks and the Bessimer pubs, as the evil duo.
Derek junior recalls: “I disturbingly spent my first Christmas as a 10-month-old baby (1960) sleeping over at Frank’s house, a stones throw from Hindley. In another bizarre twist, Dad’s friend Frank Keogh flattened David Smith in a fight behind the Bessimer pub. Frank could really handle himself and Smith was constantly looking for trouble. It was Smith who coincidentally reported the demonic couple to the police.”
Meanwhile, Derek Junior will be “treading the boards” with Liverpool FC legends Phil Thompson, Jimmy Case and Alan Kennedy at the Liverpool Philharmonic Theatre this Friday on a Liverpool FC legends production. Nicky Allt from Liverpool FC Productions was really impressed with his performance on the Everton FC legends production and approached him after the show.
he has also recently (January 2026) treaded the boards in the operas “Carmen” and “La Traviata” at the Liverpool Empire Theatre and is also cast as a priest in a new horror feature film with a premiere in June.
He also remains busy litter picking out on his rounds for three hours on Friday, where he proudly collected two bags of Aluminium cans, with the proceeds going to the Veterans hub on Orford Park.
He is also presently stocking up with gifts for the Shannon Bradshaw Trust Ball in November, of which he is a patron.
Copies of the book can be purchased on amazon by CLICKING HERE. Further details from https://memoirandco.co.uk
