The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J R Cowsill

James Roy Cowsill, of Muncaster, York was born on 24th May 1920, the son of Charles Frederick Reginald and Nellie Cowsill.

He was awarded Aero Certificate 18413 at the York & Leeming Flying Club on 23rd May 1939. He had been a member of the RAFVR since August 1938.

Called up on 1st September 1939, he completed his flying training and was serving with 56 Squadron at North Weald in June 1940.

On 13th July he damaged a Ju87 which crash-landed on the beach at Cap Griz Nez. Following this action Cowsill was shot down in Hurricane I N2432, probably by Fw. John of 4/JG51 into the Channel two miles off St. Margarets Bay. A MTB set off immediately to the spot but only found a small piece of wreckage bearing the aircraft serial number.

Cowsill was 20 years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, panel 13.

Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner