Howard Bowden FLETCHER DFC

Howard Bowden FLETCHER DFC Update Details

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FLETCHER, Howard Bowden

Service Numbers:	471, 453, 260181
Enlisted:	5 November 1914, Stanthorpe, Queensland
Last Rank:	Squadron Leader
Last Unit:	Royal Australian Air Force
Born:	Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 22 November 1890
Home Town:	Mosman, Municipality of Mosman, New South Wales
Schooling:	Maitland High School, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation:	Auctioneer and Commission Agent
Died:	Natural causes, Southport, Queensland, Australia, 10 April 1967, aged 76 years
Cemetery:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:	Maitland High School Roll of Honour, Mosman Methodist Church Great War Roll of Honour

World War 1 Service

5 Nov 1914:	Enlisted AIF WW1, 471, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Stanthorpe, Queensland
12 Nov 1914:	Discharged AIF WW1, 471, 5th Light Horse Regiment, Medically unfit
14 Jan 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Trooper, 453, 12th Light Horse Regiment, Liverpool
16 May 1915:	Promoted AIF WW1, Squadron Sergeant Major, 12th Light Horse Regiment
13 Jun 1915:	Involvement 453, 12th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Suevic embarkation_ship_number: A29 public_note: ''
13 Jun 1915:	Embarked 453, 12th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Suevic, Sydney
25 Aug 1915:	Transferred AIF WW1, Squadron Sergeant Major, 6th Light Horse Regiment
25 Aug 1915:	Involvement AIF WW1, Squadron Sergeant Major, 453, 6th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli
22 Feb 1916:	Transferred AIF WW1, Squadron Sergeant Major, 12th Light Horse Regiment
22 Feb 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Regimental Sergeant Major, 12th Light Horse Regiment
25 Jul 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 12th Light Horse Regiment
5 Dec 1916:	Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 12th Light Horse Regiment
19 Apr 1917:	Wounded AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, Egypt and Palestine - Light Horse and AFC Operations, Sharpnel wound face (serious)
9 Sep 1917:	Transferred AIF WW1, Australian Flying Corps (AFC)
27 Feb 1918:	Transferred AIF WW1, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
1 Jun 1918:	Promoted AIF WW1, Flying Officer, No. 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps
23 Dec 1918:	Embarked AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Australian Flying Corps (AFC), HT Leicestershire, Suez for invaliding to Australia - disembarking Melbourne 22 January 1919, then by train to Sydney, arriving 23 January 1919.
8 Feb 1919:	Honoured Distinguished Flying Cross, Egypt and Palestine - Light Horse and AFC Operations, For conspicuous gallantry in air combats and in attacking ground objectives - on 24 August 1918 near Kalkilieh, in acting as observer to Lt P.J. McGuinness and in company with another machine attacked seven enemy aircraft, crashing two. In addition he successfully attacked ground objectives throughout June, July and August 1918 as well as doing much valuable and dangerous work in taking aerial photographs and obtaining other intelligence.
15 Apr 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, Australian Flying Corps (AFC)

World War 2 Service

2 Sep 1939:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, 260181, Royal Australian Air Force, Flying Officer
3 Aug 1945:	Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, 260181, Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader
3 Aug 1945:	Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 260181
Date unknown:	Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 260181

Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC):

For conspicuous gallantry in air combats and in attacking ground objectives. On the 24th August, 1918 this officer, acting as Observer in Lieutenant P.J. McGUINNESS, D.C.M. (and accompanied by Lieutenants PETERS and THAILL in a second machine) attacked seven hostile machines, of which he and his Pilot succeeded in cashing two single-seaters, one of which burst into flames on hitting the ground. In addition, this Officer has shown much initiative in attacking ground objectives, notably on 2nd May, 1918, when he attacked the hangars and camps at AMMAN from a low height with effect, and also on the 31st July, 1918, when from a low height he attacked trains and transport parks at BEISAN. Other attacks were carried out on the 11th June, 16th June, 8th July, and 9th August, 1918. Further this officer has done much valuable and dangerous work recently in obtaining photographs and intelligence regarding roads etc. which was particularly required.

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