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Author Topic: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)  (Read 770 times)

Offline Brentor boy

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526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« on: Wednesday 22 April 20 09:39 BST (UK) »
The supplement to the London Gazette of 1 January 1941 contains a long list of leading aircraftman, included in  which is the name of 526616 H Cowling.
I am unable to access the preceding pages to discover the reason for this announcement. Can someone enlighten me, please?

Online ShaunJ

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 22 April 20 09:59 BST (UK) »
It's a mention in dispatches. You can tab back through the previous pages here:

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35029/supplement/40
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Offline Brentor boy

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #2 on: Wednesday 22 April 20 11:43 BST (UK) »
Many thanks, Shaun. I was not sure what to expect but it certainly wasn't that.
In February 1941 he was a sergeant, air crew. Could he have been air crew as a LAC? If not, how would a home based LAC come to be mentioned in dispatches?
I am related through his cousin. Unfortunately his next of kin, related through his brother, is unwilling to apply for his service records.

Offline Spikey68

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 23 April 20 02:41 BST (UK) »
As he died during the war (i.e. longer than 25 years ago) you can apply for his record.

Offline Brentor boy

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 23 April 20 08:56 BST (UK) »
Many thanks, Spikey.

Offline philipsearching

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #5 on: Friday 24 April 20 14:25 BST (UK) »
Quote from: Brentor boy on Wednesday 22 April 20 11:43 BST (UK)
In February 1941 he was a sergeant, air crew. Could he have been air crew as a LAC? If not, how would a home based LAC come to be mentioned in dispatches?

If he was ground crew mentioned in dispatches, there are many possible reasons.  Maybe he rescued crew from a crashed aeroplane, or maybe he did heroic work when his airfield was bombed.

Philip
Please help me to help you by citing sources for information.

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Offline IMBER

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #6 on: Friday 24 April 20 19:56 BST (UK) »
Plenty of examples of those of AC and LAC rank flying operationally during 1940. During the disastrous RAF raid on the Sedan bridges Fairey Battles made suicidal attacks. One aircraft pressed home but was shot down. Flying Officer Garland and Sgt Gray were awarded posthumous Victoria Crosses. Air Gunner, LAC Reynolds, got nothing.

Sgt Cowling died on operations in Blenheim N3630 of 53 Squadron 26 November 1940. He had flown ops over France in a Blenheim as an AC in May 1940.

Imber
Skewis (Wales and Scotland), Ayers (Maidenhead, Berkshire), Hildreth (Berkshire)

Offline rafcommands

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #7 on: Friday 24 April 20 21:17 BST (UK) »
AC and LAC operational aircrew were virtually non existent by the second half of 1940 after the Air Ministry order of minimum rank of Sgt to ORs when awarded aircrew brevet.

Usually awards gazetted on Kings Birthday or New Year honours were for meritorious service rather than immediate award for gallantry act.

His service number was for a block of between wars regular service, civilian entry.

Once you get his service record this will be shown - I suspect the MID was for events prior to his air candidate service.

Since his death was 15 Feb 1941 on No.217 Sqn Beaufort L9794 just give the CWGC link instead of death certificate and you will get the full record.

Ross
Sea Losses of RAF Aircraft 1918 to date.

RAF Coastal Command 1939-45.

Between the Wars RAF Officers and Warrant Officers.

Offline Brentor boy

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Re: 526616 H Cowling. (RAF)
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 25 April 20 06:28 BST (UK) »
Imber. I am sorry, you have the wrong fatality.

Ross. Thanks for the information and advice.

I guess it would be assumed that a LAC would usually just be doing what he was told, or trained, to do and so did not warrant any commendation.
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