Next of kin: Father, John J Howitt, 407 Water St, Guelph. A former employee of a dairy firm, who used his savings to get to England. A 'non permanent gunner' in 1938 with 43rd B.T.Y., R.C.A. P/O with 242 Sqn RAF, Jun-39 to Dec-40 - the first all-Canadian squadron of the RAF. In September 1940, according to The Ottawa Journal, he "cracked up and was sent to hospital. Doctors told him he couldn't fly a fighter plane again. He heard he was being sent back to Canada. 'I didn't want that', Howitt said. 'Any kind of flying is better than none at all, so I volunteered for the ATA and was accepted.' " Address in 1941: Marbrock, Smedley St, W Matlock, Derby Postings: 14FPP Off sick from 14 Dec 41 to 28 Dec with 'nervous apprehension', perhaps brought on by the 2 forced landings he had (a Spitfire in August, and an Anson in October, both due to engine failure). [Contract Terminated 31 Dec 1941) d. November 2, 2002, Guelph Download ATA Pilot Personal Record (.zip file): |
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