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Gowers, Arthur Vincent "Gus"

Date of birth:
June 18th, 1913 (Chelmsford/Essex, Great Britain)
Date of death:
October 24th, 1943 (near Cherbourg/Normany, France)
Mentioned on:
Air Forces Memorial Runnymede
Service number:
40166
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Gus Gowers was killed in an attack on m.s. 'Munsterland' in the harbor of Cherbourg on October 24th, 1943.

Promotions:
March 1934: 2nd Lieutenant;
July 5th, 1937: Airman, RAVR;
?: Pilot Officer;
September 3rd, 1940: Flying Officer;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant (war subs.);
November 20th, 1942: Acting Squadron Leader.

Career:
1923 - 1928: Royal Grammar School, Colchester;
?: Marconi Wireless and Telegraph Works, Chelmsford;
June 1932 - June 1933: Private, HAC;
June 1933 - March 1936: Royal Army Service Corps (TA);
July 5th, 1936: Airman u.t Pilot, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserves;
August 1937: No. 13 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School;
November 6th, 1937: No. 5 Flying Training School;
June 4th, 1937: No 26 Maintenance Unit, Cardington;
August 10th, 1938: No. 85 Squadron;
March 1941: Blind Approach Course, Watchfield;
July 26th, 1941 - October 21st, 1941: Control Room Duties, RAF Kenley;
October 1941: Refresher Course No. 56 Operational Training Unit, Sutton Bridge;
November 14th, 1941: Flight Commander No. 504 Squadron, Ballyhalbert;
February 16th, 1942: Air Headquarters Far East;
May 7th, 1942: Conversion Typhoon, No. 53 Operational Training Unit, Llandow;
August 8th, 1942: No. 56 Squadron, Snailwell;
August 29th, 1942: Station Sick Quarters Coltishall;
November 20th, 1942: Commanding Officer No. 183 Squadron, Church Fenton.

Victories:
August 18th, 1940: Junkers Ju 78 (probably);
August 28th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110 (damaged);
August 30th, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 110;
August 31st, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109;
August 31st, 1940: Messerschmitt Bf 109.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
No. 5 Flying Training School, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1938
Flying Badge
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Unit:
No. 85 Squadron, Royal Air Force
Awarded on:
July 1st, 1941
Awarded for gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air
operations.

LG 35206/3770.
Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Flying Officer
Awarded on:
September 24th, 1941

LG 35285/5573.
Mentioned in Dispatches

Sources

  • Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
  • - The London Gazette of 1st July 1941, Issue 35206
    - Supplement to The London Gazette of 23rd September 1941, Issue 35284, dated 24th September 1941
    - The London Gazette of 25th November 1941, Issue 35358
    - The Battle of Britain London Memorial
    - CWGC

Photo

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