William John Gowdy

Sergeant William John Gowdy of Larne, Co. Antrim died on 21st January 1944 on a Bomber Command mission over Magdeburg, Germany with RAF 35 Squadron.

Sergeant

William John Gowdy

1512471

William John Gowdy, known as Jackie, was a Wireless Operator with RAF 35 Squadron, part of Bomber Command. His crew carried out their final mission on a raid over Magdeburg, Germany.

Sergeant William John Gowdy (1512471) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. Known as Jackie, he was the only son of William Alexander Gowdy and Mary Gowdy (née Marrs) of Bay Road, Larne, Co. Antrim.

He died on 21st January 1944 aged 22 years old. On this date, 21 bombers of RAF 35 Squadron including Handley-Page Halifax LV787 took off for a raid on Magdeburg, Germany. There was no communication from the plane after take off. The next of kin of all 7 men received a telegram and a letter from the Squadron’s Commanding Officer.

Remembering the crew of Halifax LV787

William John Gowdy has no known grave. His name is on Panel 230 of the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

References
  1. 35 Squadron
  2. Ancestry
  3. British Newspaper Archive
  4. British Newspaper Archive
  5. Commonwealth War Graves
  6. RAF Commands
  7. RAF Commands

Runnymede Memorial