Details of Derek's birth are not known.

Derek married Olive Topham in 1957 in the Littleborough Registration District (Mar. quarter).

He had the following children from his marriage to Olive Topham:

- Glyn H. Diggle	born in 1959 in the Littleborough Registration District.
- Stephen H. Diggle	born in 1962 in the Rochdale Registration District.
- David H. Diggle	born in 1964 in the Littleborough Registration District.

Details of Derek's occupation are not known.