The Airmen's Stories - F/Lt. C E Bowen
Charles Earle Bowen was born on 2nd February 1916 in Derbyshire, the son of Charles Brice Bowen (1874-1950) and of Linda Redenta Eugenie Bowen (nee D'Amato 1892-1977).
He joined the RAF in December 1936 on a short service commission. He went to 9 FTS Thornaby on 20th March 1937, joined 77 Squadron at Honington on 23rd October and on 2nd May 1938 was posted to 10 FTS Tern Hill as an instructor.
In December 1939 Bowen was posted from 615 Squadron to 607 Squadron, then in France. On 10th May he shared in destroying a He111 of Stab II/KG27 which came down near Ath.
In September 1940, flying from Tangmere, he claimed a Do215 destroyed and a Do17 shared on the 15th. On the 26th he was shot down in combat over the Isle of Wight in Hurricane P5205. He baled out over Calbourne and landed unhurt.
On 1st October 1940 Bowen was reported 'Missing' in Hurricane P2900 after combat with Me110s over the Isle of Wight.
He is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 4.
He was 24 years old.
Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner.
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