HOWDEN, Owens McAllister
| Service Number: | 408845 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 June 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 8 Squadron (RAAF) |
| Born: | Richmond, Victoria, Australia, 27 February 1913 |
| Home Town: | Mildura, Mildura Shire, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Accidental, Canberra Aerodrome, ACT, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 3 May 1943, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
Woden (Canberra) Public Cemetery, ACT R.S.L. Plot. Row D. Grave 15, Woden Cemetery, Woden, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Nar Nar Goon Commerical Bank of Australia Limited WW2 Roll of Honour, Yarrawonga War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Flying Officer, 408845 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force | |
| 20 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 408845 | |
| 20 Jun 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 408845 | |
| 3 May 1943: | Involvement No. 8 Squadron (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer, 408845 |
Help us honour Owens McAllister Howden's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by David Barlow
Son of Owens McAlister Howden and Aileen Martha Murray Howden
Husband of Ina Ellen Howden of Red Cliffs, Victoria
RAAF Beaufort aircraft A9-258 of Number 8 Squadron crashed at Canberra Aerodrome, ACT killing Sergeant (Pilot) Leonard Leslie Grist 415138 & Flying Officer (Observer) Owens McAlister Howden 408845
The aircraft overshot the runway whilst attempting a forced landing due to engine failure. A re-take-off was attempted but the aircraft stalled, crashed and burnt.
Three other crew members were injured:
Corporal George Leonard Morris 19803 - discharged 20 Nov 1945 from Number 1 Operational Training Unit
Sergeant Edgar Joseph Daly BEM 405903 - discharged 27 Aug 1945 from Number 37 Squadron as a Flying Officer
Sergeant Bryon Veitch MacLean BEM 414053 - Killed in Action 15 Nov 1943 over Rabaul with 8 Squadron
Both Sergeant Daly and Sergeant MacLean were awarded with the British Empire Medal (BEM) for their actions following the crash of Beaufort A9-258 in rescuing a crewmate from the blazing wreckage.
Click images to start slideshow.