The Airmen's Stories - P/O P Howes

Peter Howes was born on 14th May 1919 in Bodmin, Cornwall, the son of Harold Edward Howes (1877-1919) and Etta Mary Howes (nee de Heriez-Smith 1888-1956).

His parents ran a grocery/caterering business in Wadebridge.

P Howes was educated at Oundle School, entering Dryden House in September 1932 going on in 1936 to St. John's College, Oxford where he read Natural Science.

He learned to fly with the University Air Squadron and was a friend of Richard Hillary. In June 1939 Howes joined the RAFVR as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Above image courtesy of Oundle School.

Called up on 1st September, he was commissioned on the 26th, completed his training and was posted to No.1 School of Army Co-operation at Old Sarum. On 23rd June 1940 Howes was sent to 5 OTU Aston Down and after converting to Spitfires he joined 54 Squadron at Rochford on 8th July. He moved to 603 Squadron at Hornchurch on 11th September.

Howes was shot down and killed by Me109s on the 18th. His Spitfire, X4323, crashed at Kennington, near Ashford.

He was 21. Howes was cremated at St John's Crematorium, Woking.