A picture of Fred and Lil on their engagement.
However, on closer inspection, it can be seen that Fred appears to be wearing a Warrant Officers badge on his sleeve and an ‘S’ brevet on his uniform. Fred was promoted from Sergeant to Flight Sergeant while he was a Prisoner of War. The re-badging of Air Gunners/ Wireless Operators from A/G/W/Op to the more specific ‘Signals’ badge for Wireless Operators occurred at the beginning of 1944 – while, again, Fred was interred. So, perhaps this picture was actually taken after the War, when Fred had returned to Lil…..
© David Cowan/ Dianne Clow
Many thanks to David and Dianne for passing on information about their Father, Frederick Charles Cowan, Wireless operator with Dick Whitmore’s crew. Frederick was the only survivor of the crew when they were shot down on the 27th September 1943, during an Op to Hanover.
Dianne has passed on this wonderful picture of Fred and his new wife Lillian on their wedding day.
Dianne lets us know that Frederick and Lillian:
“met in Hackney, East London in a November, got engaged in the January and married in the April, and in that time, they did not see much of each other. Then dad got shot down and put in a POW camp, so they then did not see each other for quite a while. In fact, I remember my mum telling me that a neighbour said my dad was walking down the street on his first time home after coming back from the (PoW) camp, but she was too scared to go out and see him!! My mum’s maiden name was Lillian Jesse Thomas and lived in Dagenham Essex. I think the pictures would have been taken in Tottenham North London but I am not sure. It’s funny that men of my dad’s kind never spoke about their time in the war, just got on with getting back to normal when it ended. I think my dad’s story of being shot down, parachute not opening, survival and being in a POW war camp is quite amazing, especially for such an unassuming man.”
Frederick Charles Cowan and his new bride Lillian Jesse Cowan, pictured possibly, somewhere in East Hackney. Dianne is unsure of the date, but, based on Fred’s stripes and brevet, I think it would be at the earliest May 1943.
© David Cowan/ Dianne Clow
Her Grandson, when asked to do an article about someone who was in the Second World War, chose Adolf Hitler!!!! Dianne said he should find out about his great grandfather and so he did and produced the following excellent piece of work – he’ll be running the blog in a few years!
“My Great Grandfather Frederick Charles Cowan, born in London in 1920, was in the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator on Wellington and Stirling Bomber Planes. The rest of his crew were from the New Zealand Air Force, who came to England to help fight in the Second World War.
On the night of the 27/28th September, 1943, his plane was shot at, caught fire, exploded and crashed down to earth whilst on a bombing attack on Hanover in Germany. Great Grandfather Fred was blown out of the plane and his parachute failed to open. His life was saved because he hit a tree on the way down to the ground and he only broke a leg. He was captured by the local German police and become a prisoner of war in a German Prisoner of War Camp until his release in May, 1945, when he came home to England.
Unfortunately all the other crew members were killed. Three of the crew who died were only 22, 27 and 29 years of age and one was married with three children. My Great Grandfather was only 23.
On his return home to England, he wrote to the parents of the crew members who had died. He was offered sponsorship to start a new life with his wife in New Zealand, but did not go. Some of the parents sent them food parcels as there was still food shortages after the War had ended.”
Frederick and the Whitmore crew arrived at Mepal, from 1665 Conversion Unit at Woolfox Lodge, on the 20th of August 1943. After 2 Ops as 2nd Dickie, with the Wilkinson and Logan crew, Dick Whitmore took charge of his own crew.
27/08/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Nurenburg
Nineteen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets with incendiary bombs of 30lbs. and 4lbs. One aircraft failed to return, but the remainder successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. Good concentrated fires and heavy explosions were seen. A moderate barrage consisting of light and heavy A.A. fire co-operating with searchlights were encountered, and two aircraft received slight damage. Some enemy aircraft were seen, one short combat took place, but no damage was sustained by our aircraft. The weather was cloudy on the outward journey but clear over the target and visibility was good. Navigation was very good. The missing aircraft was Stirling Mk.III EE955 captained by F/Sgt. Higham.
Stirling Mk.III EH901 JN-O
F/S Ernest Stanley Wilkinson, RNZAF NZ417138 – Pilot.
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – 2nd Pilot.
F/S Gordon Noel Simes, RNZAF NZ415376 – Navigator.
F/S Neil Gordon Roy Treacher, RNZAF NZ416418 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Jeffery James Waterman, RAFVR 1312274 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Timothy Whatley, RAFVR 1314153 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. E.S. Robson, RAFVR 1810690 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S George Stanley Wilkinson, RAFVR 642538 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 21:30 – Landed 04:30
Flight Time 07:00
30/08/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Munchen-Gladbach
18 Aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets with incendiary bombs of 30lbs. and 4lbs. All aircraft with the exception of one which failed to return, successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. Very large fires which were well concentrated and spreading, were seen. All crews were of the opinion that this was a good attack. Moderate heavy A.A. fire and a few searchlights were encountered, which were ineffective. A great number of enemy aircraft were seen and some short combats took place. The aircraft captained by F/Sgt. Batger, H. sighted an enemy aircraft 600 yards away, ahead and the front gunner fired a long and short burst, the enemy aircraft then disappeared and was claimed as possibly destroyed. . The aircraft captained by F/S McGregor,K. sighted an Me110 astern, the rear gunner fired a long burst. The enemy aircraft replied and dived away with smoke pouring from its engines. It is claimed as a possible destroyed. There was 8/10ths cloud at the target approaches although it was clear in the target area. Navigation was very good. The missing aircraft was Stirling MK.III EH938 captained by Sgt. Parkin, T.
Stirling Mk.III EH935 JN-K
P/O Clifford Charles Pownall Logan, RAAF AUS.405918 – Pilot.
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – 2nd Pilot.
F/S Geoffrey Phillips Sowerby, RNZAF NZ417243 – Navigator.
P/O John Paul Ingham, RAFVR 132331 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Terence James Hegarty, RAFVR 1030026 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. Thomas Stewart, RAFVR 1117389 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick Edward William Crowther, RAFVR 1339159 – Mid Upper Gunner.
F/S Albert John Knox, RNZAF NZ416006 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 00:30 – Landed 04:30
Flight Time 04:00
The Whitmore crew undertook their first Operational sortie on the 2nd of September, 19 days after their arrival at 75(NZ) Squadron. As was fairly standard at this point in the War, this was to be an ‘easy’ Gardening Op to the Frisian Islands with 4 other crews – all with no previous experience with the Squadron.
Of the 35 airmen in these 5 crews, 14 would be dead before the end of September, 3 would be Prisoners of War and another 6 would be dead within the year.
Only 12, including Fred, would survive the war.
02/09/1943 – Mining in the Frisian Islands
Five aircraft were detailed to carry out the above operation with mines of 1,500lb., One aircraft returned early owing to a navigational failure, and brought its mines back. The remainder however, successfully dropped their mines in the allotted area, although the parachutes were not seen to open owing to 4/10th cloud. No A.A. fire or searchlights were encountered. One unidentified aircraft was seen and a short combat took place, but no damage was sustained to our aircraft. The weather was good on the outward route, but fog and patchy cloud was prevalent in the mining area. Navigation was very good.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
P/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 20:30 – Landed 23:15
Flight Time 02:45
03/09/1943 – Mining in the Gironde Estuary
Five aircraft were detailed to carry out the above operation with mines of 1,500lb.. They all successfully dropped their mines in the allotted area, and some of the parachutes were seen to open. A few searchlights and A.A. guns were encountered, but were ineffective. One enemy aircraft was seen but no combat took place. There was a clear sky in the mining area and visibility was good. Navigation was very good.
Stirling Mk.III EH887 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 19:50 – Landed 01:40
Flight Time 05:50
05/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Mannheim
Nineteen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets with incendiary bombs of 30lb. and 4lb. One aircraft had trouble shortly after take-off and was forced to jettison its bombs four miles north of CAMBRIDGE. The attack was well concentrated and large fires together with heavy explosions were seen. Moderate heavy A.A. fire co-operating with searchlights were encountered, which were ineffective. One aircraft on the return journey when near the FRENCH Coast was hit by A.A. fire. It received considerable damage and two of its engines were made unserviceable. The ENGLISH Coast was reached however, it belly-landed at Hunsden. Many fighters were seen and some combats took, place. The aircraft captained by F/Sgt. H.BATGER sighted an enemy aircraft on the port quarter which opened fire on them and our aircraft corkscrewed. The Mid-upper and Rear Gunner then opened fire and the enemy aircraft was seen to dive to the ground in flames. It was claimed as destroyed. Our aircraft received considerable damage and the Flight Engineer Sgt. R. DALKINS was seriously wounded.
The aircraft captained by F/Sgt. R. WHITMORE sighted an enemy aircraft 100yds. astern, the Mid-upper and Rear Gunners opened fire, the enemy aircraft was seen to turn over and spin into the ground afire. It was claimed as destroyed. This was followed by another enemy aircraft approaching from starboard to port astern, the Mid-upper and Rear Gunners again fired and the enemy aircraft broke away. One minute later an unidentified aircraft was seen firing at a Lancaster aircraft, which was afire. F/Sgt. WHITMORE’s Mid-Upper and Rear Gunners opened fire on the enemy aircraft, which disappeared. The Lancaster was then seen to break up.
Some cloud was encountered on the way to the target, but there was a clear sky and visibility was good in the target area. Navigation was very good. One aircraft failed to return, it was captained by F/Sgt. WILKINSON, E.S.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Combat Report for the the 5/6th September 1943 Target Mannheim. Whitmore crew. National Archives AIR 50/92
Interestingly, EH877 appears to be listed as “O” in this document. All other sources that include this aircraft refer to it as “C”.
Take Off 19:45 – Landed 02:50
Flight Time 02:50
08/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Bouolgne
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets. The carried their maximum bomb load in bombs of 1,000lb., and 500lb.. One aircraft crashed whilst taking off and two returned early. The remainder successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. Not many fires were seen but numerous huge explosions were observed. Some heavy and light predicted A.A. Fire and a few searchlights were encountered but caused no trouble. A few enemy aircraft were seen, but no combats took place. The weather was good and visibility was clear except for slight ground haze. Navigation was excellent.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 21:45 – Landed 00:15
Flight Time 02:30
15/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Montlucon
Seventeen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets with bombs of 1,000lb and incendiaries of 30lb. and 4lb..One aircraft failed to take-off, but the remainder successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. This was a good concentrated attack, large fires and heavy explosions being observed, smoke from fires and heavy explosions being observed, smoke from fires was rising to a height of 12,000ft.. Inaccurate A.A. fire from a few guns was the only opposition, no enemy aircraft were encountered. There was 5/10th cloud over the target but visibility was nevertheless good. Navigation was excellent.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
P/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 20:30 – Landed 02:45
Flight Time 06:15
22/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Hanover
Twenty aircraft were detailed to carry out the above attacks with bombs of 1,000lb. and incendiaries of 30lb. and 4lb.. Three aircraft returned early, but the remainder dropped their bombs in the target area. This was a very successful and concentrated attack. Numerous fires which appeared to be merging into one large fire were seen, and were still visible as the aircraft were returning over the DUTCH Coast. Heavy A.A. fire and a great number of searchlights were encountered, but proved ineffective. Several enemy aircraft were seen and one of our Stirlings was hit, but the attacker was not seen, damage was received to the tail and mainplane, and the port petrol tanks were punctured. The aircraft, however, was safely flown back to base and a crash landing was made with three engines. It was clear over the target and visibility was excellent. Navigation was very good.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 19:05 – Landed 01:55
Flight Time 06:50
23/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Mannheim
Eighteen aircraft were detailed to carry the above operation with incendiary bombs of 30lb. and 4lb.. Three aircraft failed to return, but the remainder successfully dropped their bombs in the target area. This was, undoubtedly, a good attack, concentrated fires which were spreading to the West, and large heavy explosions were seen. Moderate heavy A.A. fire and a large curtain of searchlights were encountered, but caused no trouble. Enemy aircraft were very active and several combats took place. The aircraft captained by W/O. P. MOSELEY had a combat with a JU88 which was claimed as a probably destroyed. In the action our aircraft received damage the Pilot W/O. P. MOSELEY and the Mid Upper Sgt. C. MIDDLETON were slightly injured. The aircraft captained by P/O A. BURLEY had three combats with enemy aircraft, one of which was claimed as destroyed, the two as damaged. The weather was good with clear visibility. Navigation was excellent. The missing aircraft were Stirlings Mk.111 EF459 captained by P/O C.C. LOGAN, EH946 captained by F/Lt. G. TURNER , and EH935 captained by F/O L. KIRKPATRICK.
Stirling Mk.III EH901 JN-O
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off 19:40 – Landed 02:00
Flight Time 06:20
27/09/1943 – Attack Against Targets at Hanover
Sixteen aircraft were detailed to attack the above targets with incendiary bombs of 30lb. and 4lb. Two aircraft failed to return and one returned owing to its rear turret being unserviceable. The remainder dropped their bombs in the target area. This was an exceedingly successful and well concentrated attack, considered to be even better than the previous one. Numerous large fires and columns of smoke rising to 12,000ft., were seen, and the fires were again visible at the DUTCH Coast. Very moderate and ineffective heavy A.A. fire, numerous searchlights and flares were encountered. Many enemy aircraft were seen and several combats took place. The air craft captained by F/Sgt. HORGAN, D. had a combat with a JU88 which was claimed to be destroyed. The aircraft captained by F/Sgt. BURTON, H., sighted a JU88 and the Rear Gunner fired, it was seen to fall in flames and was claimed as destroyed. Two other short combats took place and one of our aircraft received slight damage. The weather was poor on the outward and return journeys, but good with clear visibility over the target. Navigation was very good. The missing aircraft were Stirling Mk.III, EF515 captained by Sgt. MARTIN, R., and EH877 captained by F/Sgt. WHITMORE, R.
Stirling Mk.III EH877 JN-C
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber.
Sgt. Frederick Charles Cowan, RAFVR 1387682 – Wireless Operator.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner.
Take Off – – Landed –
Flight Time Missing
The Whitmore crew in Stirling MK.III EH877 JN-C, took off between 19:45 and 20:00hrs to join a main force of 678 aircraft attacked Hanover the second time that month. Although the attack was well concentrated, incorrectly forecast wind speeds, used by the Pathfinders to mark the target, resulted in the center of the city being spared – the majority of bombs falling approximately 5 miles North of Hanover city center.
There is little information regarding the exact cause of loss of EH877. Some, sources report seeing it falling in flames, the aircraft apparently breaking up in the air prior to final impact.
All of the Whitmore crew were killed apart from Frederick Cowan, the Wireless Operator.
In discussion with Dianne and David there seems within the family a little discussion regarding the details of Fred’s escape and survival. Given the description that exists, we must therefore assume that Fred escaped the aircraft prior to a crash and therefore with (or without) a parachute.
F/S Richard Charles Whitmore, RNZAF NZ421123 – Pilot. Died age 22.
F/O David Maurice Adamson, RNZAF NZ415052 – Navigator. Died age 27.
Sgt. Hugh Munn, RAFVR 1349759 – Air Bomber. Died age 22.
Sgt. John Bosworth Beresford, RAFVR 1583723 – Flight Engineer. Died age 22.
Sgt. Frederick John Charles Chesson, RAFVR 1336122 – Mid Upper Gunner. Died age 21.
Sgt. Tame Hawaikirangi Waerea, RNZAF NZ421300 – Rear Gunner. Died age 29.
All crew were laid to rest in Hanover War Cemetery, Germany.
After capture, Frederick, prisoner 250701, would spend the remainder of the War in Dulag Luft, Stalag IVB and Stalag III. During this period he was promoted to Flight Sergeant. He returned to the United Kingdom at the end of the War.
75(nz)squadron 