The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H Bowen-Morris

Hugh Bowen-Morris was born in Dorset on 17th February 1920 and brought up in Bath and then Coventry. He joined the RAFVR in June 1939 and began flying training at 9 E&RFTS Ansty.

Bowen-Morris was called up on 1st September 1939, went to 3 ITW at Hastings and then to 3 FTS Hamble in November. He undertook further training at 14 FTS Kinloss and FTS Cranfield.

In August 1940 Bowen-Morris went to 7 OTU Hawarden and after converting to Spitfires he joined 66 Squadron, then 610 Squadron and finally went to 92 Squadron at Biggin Hill on 12th September.

He shared a Ju88 on the 27th and crashed on landing back at Biggin Hill, damaging Spitfire R6760.

Stuka J9 + BK of 2./StG1 was shot down just outside Manston airfield on 5th February 1941. Lt. E Schimmelpfennig and OberGf. H Kaden were killed.

L to R: P/O CH Saunders, Sgt. CA Ream, Sgt.H Bowen-Morris, Sgt. RH Fokes.

He destroyed a Me109 on 12th May 1941 and another on 16th June.

Bowen-Morris was shot down during a convoy protection sortie off France on 23rd June 1941 in Spitfire V R6761.

A cannon shell exploded in the cockpit and rendered his right arm useless. He was able to carry out a force-landing before losing consciousness. He was taken to the Luftwaffe Hospital at St. Omer where his right arm was amputated.

In an exchange of prisoners in October 1943 Bowen-Morris was repatriated by the Red Cross via Sweden.

He was discharged from the RAF on 9th June 1944 as a Warrant Officer.

Bowen-Morris returned to his pre-war position as an accountant, subsequently serving as a director of John Brown Shipbuilders.

In retirement in Gloucestershire he suffered from heart disease which culminated in his death on 9th February 1991.