Regiment: R.A.F..
Died: 28 April 1942 aged 22 in Germany. Killed in action at Cologne.
Battle: Bomber Command. Cemetery: Rheinberg War Cemetery 1. E. 5-8.
Son of John and Annie Hardman Cowan, of Heaton Moor, Stockport, Cheshire.
Boxing Colours.
Manchester Univ.
150 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Bomber Command).
The squadron flew Vickers Wellingtons bombers from October 1940 operating from RAF Newton near Nottingham.
'He had taken part in very many raids on Germany.' (Malvernian, Jul 1942)
'27/28.4.42 Executive order for Operations No 81 gave instructions for fourteen main aircraft to attack Cologne. Weather conditions were exceptionally good for this operation, no cloud and good visibility making the location of the target a matter of ease. The bridges across the Rhine could be clearly seen and the detonation of bombs were observed to be well in the target area. Numerous small fires could be seen burning over a widespread area of the town. Anti-aircraft and searchlight activity was intense and extremely accurate and the impression left with our crews was that a large proportion of the Rhur's defences were concentrated on Cologne and the surrounding districts.
Two aircraft and crew are missing from this operation.
Sgt Cowan was listed as one of the Pilots missing in Aircraft X.3288 'H'.'
150 Squadron diary: AIR-27_1010_7
150 Squadron diary: AIR-27_1010_8