Born on 10th November 1905 in Northampton to parents Frank and Elizabeth; Frank was  involved in Boot & Shoe Manufacturing at Higham Ferrers.  Derek was educated at Laxton, Oundle, and went to University at Selwyn College, Cambridge.  He received his ecclesiastical training  at Wells Theological College and on ordination in 1929 became curate of St Margaret’s Church, Dunham Massey, Altrincham,  Cheshire, where he remained for two years.

His next position as curate was at Boston Parish Church,  but  he was only there a matter of months as in February 1932, he was transferred to St Jame’s Church.   The parishioners were all disappointed to see him leave the Boston area as he had been very popular, the whole time he was curate at the two churches.

Returning to Northamptonshire, Derek became vicar of the parish church of Irchester in November 1935.  From an newspaper article in the Northampton Mercury and Herald, dated 4th August 1939, he shocked his congregation by announcing at evensong that he was resigning the living.  He explained that he had to take these steps as his health was suffering because of living in the Vicarage, which had been condemned by the Diocesan Dilapidations Board.  “I shall be sorry to go” Mr Gunn told a Mercury and Herald reporter, “but I have been forced to come to this decision.  My health has been undermined by the damp atmosphere of the house.   I was away for a month in June acting on medical advice”.

Having left a dlapidated vicarage at Irchester, I am sure Mr Gunn and his parents would have been delighted with the vicarage at Woodnewton as it had been restored (due to fire) twenty severn years earlier.  It was on Tuesday, 17th December 1940, that Derek was instituted as vicar of Apethorpe with Woodnewton by the Bishop of Peterborough and inducted by the Rural Dean, Canon B E Foyster. The living is in the gift of Lord Brassey.  In his address hthe Bishop said ” that the parishioners had just been the witnesses of the institution of one who had been sent to undertake a great work among them.  Their new Vicar knew very well that of his own power he could not achieve his task without the help and prayers of his parishioners.  People looked up to the clergy to see how they lived up to their teaching.  The Bishop said that he had confidence in Mr Gunn.  All that he knew about him and his ministry in the past assured him that his work in the parish would be something of which they would be proud”.

Derek was the Vicar at Woodnewton during the period that men from the village were away fighting for the country.  Three men were killed and two families in the village lost their only child.

in late 1945 Derek left the parish, returning to Lincolnshire to take up the position of Vicar at Keelby and then to Holy Trinity in Gainsborough. His last parish was at St Leodegar’s, Wyberton. The church was full for his induction as Rector of the parish on Friday, 4th February 1955, as he was no stranger to the area and so many people were pleased to see him back.

Derek retired to Washford Somerset and died in October 1980.  He is buried in the churchyard at Carhampton.