FOWLER, Henry Francis
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Rank:
Lance Corporal
Unit / Base:
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Essex Regiment
Service:
Army
Number:
6019554
Born:
Tuesday, August 21, 1917
Birthplace:
West Ham, Essex (now London)
Died :
Sunday, January 24, 1943
Killed in action or died of wounds
Place died:
Twyford Lodge, Willesden (Central Middlesex County Hospital).
Age:
25
Cemetery/Memorial:
Operations:
Local Roll of Honour:
Lance Corporal Henry Fowler, 2 Troop, died on 24 January 1943 of wounds received during Operation Chariot in March 1942. Son of Thomas Francis and Elizabeth Fowler, of Canning Town; husband of Alice Ada Fowler, of Canning Town [1][2][3][4].
Henry Francis Fowler was born in West Ham and resided with his parents and his wife at 3 Sheppard Street, West Ham. Prior to military service he was employed on heavy work in galvanising steel storage tanks [4].
On 27/28 March 1942 Lance Corporal Fowler was one of the No.2 Commando contingent for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire, France. He embarked at Falmouth on motor launch ML443 and they proceeded in convoy for St Nazaire. Lance Corporal Fowler received serious wounds to his head and leg from enemy fire during the unsuccessful attempt by the naval crew of ML443 to land their Commandos at their designated target. Evacuated back to the UK [2][3][5].
Henry Francis Fowler was born in West Ham and resided with his parents and his wife at 3 Sheppard Street, West Ham. Prior to military service he was employed on heavy work in galvanising steel storage tanks [4].
On 27/28 March 1942 Lance Corporal Fowler was one of the No.2 Commando contingent for Operation Chariot, the raid at St. Nazaire, France. He embarked at Falmouth on motor launch ML443 and they proceeded in convoy for St Nazaire. Lance Corporal Fowler received serious wounds to his head and leg from enemy fire during the unsuccessful attempt by the naval crew of ML443 to land their Commandos at their designated target. Evacuated back to the UK [2][3][5].
British Army Casualty Lists extracts [2].
- March 1942 "Wounded, date not reported". Entries for other Commandos on this page show date wounded as 27/28 March 1942, the date of Operation Chariot.
- January 1943 "Previously reported wounded, date not reported. Now reported died of wounds 24-1-43."
Inquest [3].
- 28 January 1943. Death certificate records his home address as Sheppard Street, Canning Town, E16. Occupation as Lance Corporal no. 6019554 No.2 Commando Special Service. Death from multiple cerebral abscesses, meningitis, and lobar pneumonia which followed wounds of head and leg sustained on active service. Death by enemy action.
Sources
[1] CWGC.
[2] Casualty Lists / National Archives files WO417/41 and WO417/57.
[3] Death Certificate, Willesden Registration District, sub district Harlesden, Ref HD172604.
[3] Death Certificate, Willesden Registration District, sub district Harlesden, Ref HD172604.
[4] The 1939 Register covering West Ham.
[5] Storming St. Nazaire, author James Dorrian.
Primary Roll of Honour:
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