“MOST CAPABLE PILOT”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21579, 5 December 1944, Page 4

“MOST CAPABLE PILOT”

COAST MAN’S PROMOTION MISSING SINCE JULY Missing on operations since July of this year and at that time holding the rank of flight sergeant, a young Tokomam Bay airman, Edward-How-ell, has been promoted to the , rank of pilot officer, according to advice received by his mother, Mrs. M. A. B. Howell. Marlon and laic of Tokomaru Bay. Mrs. Howell docs not know the whereabouts of her son as he is still on the missing list. , , Pilot Officer Howell has had an interesting career. He is 21 years of age and was born and educated in England. He came to New Zealand in 1939 at the age of 1(5 and started work on Pukitawa station, Tolaga Bay. Prior to his enlistment in the A'.F. he was working on Huiarua station, Tokomaru Bay. His education course was completed while work/hg on the station and he entered camp in July, 19 42- After six months’ training in New Zealand he proceeded to Canada, where he gained his wings. He went to England in July, 1943, arid there trained on all types "of bomber aircraft and .finally went on to'operational flying as captain of a Lancaster. The commanding officer of the w in-, be was attached to wrote to Mrs. Howell informing' her of bow' Pilot Officer Howell and bis crew were detailed to attack, a heavily-defended tnrcct in Germany. No clue as to the cause of their failure to return was known, for after leaving their base no further signal was received Lorn the aircraft The officer refers to Pilot Officer I-lowell as a most capable pilot w o as captain of an aircraft, carried out his duties with skilful leadership and determination. _