The Airmen's Stories - P/O P A Loweth

Philip Anthony Loweth was born on 1st October 1920 in Maidenhead, Berkshire. He joined the RAF on a short service commission and began his initial training course on 1st May 1939.

Loweth began his intermediate and advanced course at 11 FTS Shawbury on 8th July 1939. He was destined originally for bombers, but eventually joined 249 Squadron at Church Fenton on 16th May 1940, direct from 11 FTS.

Loweth’s last sortie with 249 was a patrol on 3rd September.

The squadron ORB recorded on 7th September that Pilot Officers Loweth and Meaker drove to Maidstone hospital to collect the CO, Squadron Leader Grandy, who had baled out wounded the previous day, and continued:-

On their return they arrived at Surrey Docks about 5 minutes before bombing took place and spent a very undignified forty minutes laying on the pavement at the entrance to the Blackwall Tunnel.

Loweth was taken off flying duties on 20th September and posted away with appendicitis which became peritonitis.

Later he flew in Wellingtons in the Middle East with 38 Squadron. He returned to the UK, became an instructor and then was posted to Coastal Command. He flew Warwicks on air sea rescue operations, as well as Beaufighters.

He transferred to the reserve on 1st May 1945, but seems to have quickly re-joined the RAF. He again went to the reserve in 1950 as a Flight Lieutenant, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.

The London Gazette on 31st December 1954 announced that Squadron Leader P A Loweth’s period of service had been extended for five years from 15th August 1954. On 18th August 1959 it was announced that Flight Lieutenant Loweth had relinquished his commission in the RAF Reserve of Officers from 15th August.

In civilian life Loweth had a number of jobs. He ran the Thorpe Gardens pub (now the Rushcutters Arms) at Thorpe St. Andrew, Norfolk, and hired out cabin cruisers. He also worked for Shorts as a delivery pilot.

Loweth died on 7th September 2017.