ROWAN, Percival John Hamilton
| Service Number: | 36133 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Flying Officer |
| Last Unit: | No. 40 Squadron (RAF) |
| Born: | Perth, Western Australia, 29 January 1916 |
| Home Town: | Perth, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Christ Church Grammar School and St Georges College, University of Western Australia |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Netherlands, 10 May 1940, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: |
Rozenburg General Cemetery, Netherlands Grave 11 |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, International Bomber Command Centre Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 10 May 1940: | Involvement Royal Air Force , Flying Officer, 36133, No. 40 Squadron (RAF), Air War NW Europe 1939-45 |
|---|
Help us honour Percival John Hamilton Rowan's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Elizabeth Allen
Percival John Hamilton ROWAN was born on 29th January, 1916 in Western Australia
His parents were Archibald Hamilton ROWAN and Madeline Ida BROWN who married in 1914 in Western Australia
He went to Point Cook in 1936 and enlisted with the Royal Air Force in January, 1937 and was with the first British Squadron in France at the outbreak of WW2
He was an Australian pilot with the RAF's 40th Squadron and flew Bristol Blenheim Mk IV light bombers.
He was promoted to Flying Officer on 10th November, 1939 (London Gazette)
On May 10th 1940 he was the pilot in a Blenheim (L8828 BL) which went to bomb German positions at the Dutch airfield at Ypenburg - most of the 12 bombers returned but three did not
His plane with two crew was shot down by a fighter over the North Sea off Rotterdam. Weeks later on June 2nd, his body was washed ashore at Rozenburg and was initially buried on the spot, but in 1941 he was reinterred at the Rozenburgh General Cemetery , west of Rotterdam.
-------------
His father Archibald Hamilton ROWAN served as a Lieutenant with the 6th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse in the Boer War - he joined on 7th May, 1902
------------------
Trove articles
West Australian (Perth, WA) 6th June 1940 page 14
WEST AUSTRALIAN MISSING
Flying officer, Percival John Hamilton Rowan (24) of the Royal Air Force who has been missing since May 10. The only son of Mr. A Hamilton Rowan of Karalee, he was eductaed at Christ Church Grammar School and went to Point Cook in 1936.
He joined the R.A.F. in January 1937 and was with the first British squadron in France at the outbreak of the war.
DEATHS. Killed in Action
ROWAN On May 10, killed in action over Holland, Flying Officer, Percival John Hamilton Rowan, R.A.F. loved only son of Archibald and the late Madeline Ida Rowan, aged 24 years
Dearly loved stepson of Jessie Roberta Rowan and loved brother of Eleanor.
Click images to start slideshow.