Derek Alec Rawcliffe was born on 8 July 1921. He gained a BA from the University of Leeds. Following his training at Mirfield, he was made a Deacon in 1944. In 1945 he became a priest and was appointed to St. George's, Worcester. In 1947 he was posted to work in Melanesia as Assistant Master, and then Head Master at All Hallows School, Pawa, Solomon Islands (1949). From 1956-1958 he was Head Master at St. Mary's School, Maravovo, Solomon Islands. In 1959 he was appointed Archdeacon of Southern Melanesia. He was made first Bishop of New Hebrides in January 1974, leaving this post in 1980 to become Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway. From 1991 to 1996 he was Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Ripon. He was awarded an OBE in 1971. (Notes from SOAS Library entry for their holdings of papers of the Rt. Rev. Derek Rawcliffe (GB 0102 PP MS 61), for details of which see http://www.mundus.ac.uk/cats/4/950.htm.)

Documents rescued, identified and re-arranged on site at the abandoned Diocese of Vanuatu administration building, Sarakata, 2008 & 2009, including: correspondence, translations, theological writings, dramas, radio broadcasts; papers relating to New Hebrides Advisory Council, South Pacific Anglican Conference (SPAC), New Zealand Anglican Board of Missions, Australian Board of Missions, New Hebrides Christian Council, British Education Service, Vureas High School, Bishop Patteson Theological College, Pacific Churches Research Centre, loss of MV “Fauabu Twomey”, MV “Selwyn”, Selwyn College; press cuttings on the accidental death of Fr Allan Mackay (Noumea).
See Finding aids for details.