• Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)

Date of birth:

August 29th, 1921 (Oldham/Lancashire, United Kingdom)

Date of death:

January 12th, 1990 (Oldham/Lancashire, United Kingdom)

Service number:

1479639

Nationality:

British

William (Bill) Howarth was born in Oldham, Lancashire, on 29 August 1921. His father worked as a warehouse foreman in the cotton industry, while his mother was a cotton operative. After attending Higginshaw School, he became a grocer’s manager.

Joining the RAF in 1941, he trained as an Air Gunner, completing his training in August 1942. He crewed up with Les Munro, Jock Rumbles, Percy Pigeon, and Frank Appleby during heavy bomber training. This team remained together for 20 months.

By the time they transferred to 617 Squadron, Howarth had completed around 20 operations with Munro. On the Dams Raid, positioned in AJ-W’s front gun turret, he later confirmed that the aircraft had been damaged by land-based flak.

He went on to complete over 50 operations before being taken off operational duties in July 1944 and was recommended for the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM) in April of that year.

Commissioned in June 1944, Bill Howarth spent the rest of the war in training roles, rising to Flight Lieutenant and serving as Gunnery Leader in multiple units. He left the RAF in June 1946, briefly returning to the grocery trade before joining Prudential Assurance in 1947, where he worked until retirement.

He married Doris Hall, a munitions worker, on 3 July 1943. They had three sons, one of whom died in infancy. Throughout his life, he actively fundraised for Leonard Cheshire Homes.

Howarth passed away on 12 January 1990 and was cremated at Hollinwood crematorium, Oldham.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Unit:

No. 617 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

June 30th, 1944

"Flight Sergeant Howarth has completed 41 operational sorties as Air Gunner and many of these have been against the most heavily defended targets in Germany and Italy. He has operated continuously since January 1943, and his last 20 sorties have been carried out against objectives in occupied Europe whilst operating with a special duties squadron. During these operations, his exceptional coolness and marked ability as an Air Gunner has materially assisted his Captain in pressing home the attacks against opposition. Flight Sergeant Howarth’s marked enthusiasm for operations and his outstanding devotion to duty merit the highest praise. He is therefore strongly recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal. (10 April 1944)."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

• Photo 1: Howarth Family
• - Dambusters

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RAF Scampton

Lincoln - Lincolnshire

Operation Chastise (Dambusters Raid)