Chave, Owen Cecil
Personal Information
Rank | F/L |
Forename(s) | Owen Cecil |
Surname | Chave |
Gender | M |
Age | 30 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 14-02-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Sir Benjamin Chave, K.B.E., and of Lady Chave (Nee Morgan), of Highfield, Southampton. Husband of Joan Chave (Nee Sanders). |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | BF448 |
Markings | LS-T |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Heverlee War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 10. E. 2-8. |
Epitaph | AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER THEM |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 143 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 82955 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 15 (XV) |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Highfields Church, Highfields, Southampton, Hampshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Embossed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | In proud and loving memory of Owen Cecil Chave, Flt Lt RAFVR, Bomber Command. Killed in action 14th February 1943 aged 29 years. |
Location | Village Cemetery, Houthalen, Limburg Province |
Country | Belgium |
Memorial Type | Sculptured marble pillar & inscribed marble tablet |
Memorial Text | Gevallen vleugels. Zij verloren hun leven voor onze vrijheid - Stirling BF 448 - 15 februari 1943 |
Miscellaneous Information
Born in Southampton 29 April 1912. He was educated at Brighton College between 1926 and 1931. On leaving school he worked first in insurance, and then became a schoolmaster. |
Owen loved writing, becoming a frequent contributor to "Punch", "The Spectator", "Aeroplane", "Empire Review", and "Royal Air Force Quarterly". In 1942, Basil Blackwell of Oxford published a book of his verse called "Winged Victory" under the nom de plume of "Ariel" (see photo). |
One of his most famous works: Think not that they are lonely where they lie Your tears are not the only ones to bless Their sacrifice, for no one passes by But pays his homage to their quietness. As demi-gods they rest, and on each shrine Are laid the votive gifts that children bring; All Europe’s flowers are heaped there for a sign That their swift fame need fear no tarnishing. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/52 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/203/51 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 14-02-1943 |
End Date | 15-02-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Bourn |
Day/Night Raid | Night (77% moon) |
Operation | Cologne. 243 aircraft, 9 lost (3.7%). PFF used H2S to mark the target with sky-markers. Limited success. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed NNE of Hasselt, Belgium |