Howes, William Robert
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | William Robert |
Surname | Howes |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 30-05-1943 |
Next of Kin | Husband of Mrs M.M. Howes, of Sheringham, Norfolk. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling III |
Serial Number | BK688 |
Markings | HA-A |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Belgium |
Burial/Memorial Place | Schaffen Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 12-14. |
Epitaph | LOVED AND REMEMBERED |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 185 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1284892 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 218 (Gold Coast) |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | St. Mary's Church, Bexwell, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Stone Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of the squadrons based at R.A.F. Downham Market and those who have their lives during the 1939 - 1945 war |
Location | All Saints Church, Chedburgh, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH and Sqn Crest |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour and scroll remembering the members of the Royal and Polish Air Forces who served at RAF Chedburgh 1942 - 1946 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/10 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1351/9 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 29-05-1943 |
End Date | 30-05-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Downham Market |
Day/Night Raid | Night (16% moon) |
Operation | Wuppertal. 719 aircraft, 33 losses(4.6%). PFF target marking and the resultant main force bombing was especially accurate, leading to what was probably the first instance of a 'firestorm'. Five of the six largest factories in the town, 211 other industrial premises and almost 4000 homes were completely destroyed. Approximately 3400 deaths- five times greater than any other city raid. |
Reason for Loss | Shot down by a night-fighter and crashed on Schaffen airfield, Belgium |