Date of death:

May 14th, 1944

Buried on:

Commonwealth War Cemetery Ancona
Plot: II. Row: B. Grave: 2.

Service number:

205881V

Nationality:

South African

Rowland Rowan began flight training in September 1941. After completing this he transferred to No.233 Wing Base at Cairo in July 1942 flying Kittyhawks. He was extremely active throughout September and October providing Bomber Escorts. This continued sporadically until May 1943. He began training on Spitfires in July 1943 and carried out many patrols on the Messina Straits. In November 1943 he strafed a variety of vehicles and ground targets and this continued until the end of his tour in January 1944, having completed over 500 hours of flying. His second tour commenced in April 1944 and he died on 14th May 1944 while on a Dive Bombing exercise, his aircraft was seen bursting into flames at around 4000ft. The aircraft hit the ground and burnt out completely.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 4 (SAAF) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

May 23rd, 1944

Citation:
"For tenacity, devotion to duty and continuous gallantry over a period of seventeen months in operations against the enemy in Africa, Sicily and Italy. Lieutenant Rowan has completed two hundred hours operational flying and has three enemy aircraft damaged to his credit. As a Flight Leader, this Officer has set a very high standard of aggressive and efficient flying. His courage, resolution and fighting spirit, combined with a strong personality, classify him as a Pilot of outstanding ability."

• - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36525 published on the 19 May 1944
  - Bonhams
  -Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  

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