Leading Aircraftman Donald Mitchell Rowson, 220 Squadron, RAF - Mentioned in Despatches

550760, Leading Aircraftman Donald Mitchell Rowson, No. 220 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Born in 1919 at Nantwich, Cheshire, Donald Mitchell Rowson was the eldest son of James Ewart and Gladys May Rowson (née Mitchell) of Lower Doles Farm, Whiteley Green, Bollington, Cheshire. His father was a plumber and glazier. Donald's siblings were Sybil Mary, Dennis Wilton, Marcia, Ewart Alexander and Octavos Roland.

A report in the Macclesfield Courier dated 21 January 1940 stated:/

"Posted missing, today in the R.A.F. casualty list, Leading Aircraftman Rowson is classified as 'missing', believed killed in action."

Donald was a member of the crew of Hudson N7232/T, which took off from RAF Thornaby, North Yorkshire, at 08:35 hours on 1 January 1940 and failed to return from a reconnaissance flight.

Reports state that the aircraft crashed into the North Sea, approximately 20 miles east of St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, following an attack on a Ju 88 of 1./KG 30. The Hudson was hit by return fire during the air-to-air combat, and both aircraft were shot down. It is believed that the Ju 88 was lost first.

Between 11:04 and 11:41 hours, a number of bearings were obtained from the aircraft by the D/F stations at RAF Thornaby and RAF Leuchars. Donald, the youngest member of the crew, was credited with shooting down the Ju 88 and was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches.

Donald died on Monday, 1 January 1940, aged 20 years.

Leading Aircraftman Donald Mitchell Rowson is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. CWGC Reference: Panel 24.