MCGOWAN, Hunter Rutledge
| Service Number: | 402386 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 August 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | No. 244 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia, 24 October 1916 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Glebe Public School, North Sydney High & Newington College, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Accountancy Head (Government Printing Office) |
| Died: | Flying Battle, Middle East, 17 September 1942, aged 25 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Memorial panel column 266 ALAMEIN MEMORIAL -Column 266. |
| Memorials: | Alamein Memorial (El Alamein), Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 2 Service
| 19 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 402386, Sydney, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Aug 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402386 | |
| 20 Aug 1940: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman 2 (WW2), 402386 | |
| 17 Sep 1942: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, Sergeant, 402386, No. 244 Squadron (RAF), El Alamein |
Fallen in the Cause of the Free
The Methodist Newspaper - Sydney 24th July 1943
"Fallen in the Cause of the Free"
PILOT OFFICER HUNTER McGOWAN R.A.F.
Rev. F. H. McGowan has been officially informed by the Australian Air Board that his son, Hunter, who some months ago was reported missing, is now presumed to have been killed in air operations. Born in Lindfield he received his education at Glebe, North Sydney High, and Newington College. Shortly after leaving school he entered the Government Printing Office, later becoming head of the accountancy department. He was well known in Sydney athletic circles, and was the winner of several cricket, football, and boxing trophies.
Enlisting in the R A.A.F. shortly after the outbreak of war, he received his training in N.S.W. and then in Canada. He was posted to the R.A.F. in England, in which he took part in a number of successful operations over enemy territory. Late in 1941 he was for a short time in Malta. Returning to England at the end of the year, he was in operations over the North Sea and the Dutch Coast. It was in one of these operations that he was most hotly engaged, but pulled through with damaged plane and observer killed.
In May, 1942, he was sent to the Middle East, and took part in some of the pounding of Rommel's supply lines. Detailed for special service, he was posted to Iraq, and was last in touch with his base when in operations over the Gulf of Oman on September 17th,1942, when he was reported missing. The Wing Commander of the Squadron writes of him as a courageous and reliable Pilot, very popular with his crew and the members of the Squadron. His parents have anxiously awaited better news, but it now seems conclusive that he fought his last fight on the above mentioned date, We tender our heartfelt sympathy to the Rev. and Mrs. F. H. McGowan on the loss of a gallant son.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155472492
Submitted 17 September 2015 by Elizabeth Allen
Biography
Hunter Rutledge McGOWAN was born on 24th October, 1916, Lindfield, Sydney NSW
His parents were Frederick Hugh McGOWAN and Kathleen Gertrude RUTLEDGE who married in 1910 (NSW)
He enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on 19th August, 1940 - he had further training at No. 5 Flight & No. 4 Service Flying Training School, Saskatoon, Canada and he was part of the Empire Training Scheme - his posting at death was a Sergeant with the 244 Squadron.(R.A.F.)
He was missing in action in an air operation and was later listed as Killed in Action on 17th September, 1942 (see newspaper story below for more detais) - He is memoralised on the Alamein Memorial and the Australian War Memorial
Click images to start slideshow.