Orders, Decorations and Medals

An original Flying Log Book appertaining to Lieutenant R. W. Rowan, D.F.C., South African Air Force, a long-served and gallant Mediterranean theatre of war Kittyhawk and Spitfire pilot who claimed several enemy aircraft as damaged prior to being killed in action in May 1944

South African Air Force (S.A.A.F.) Pilot’s Flying Log Book, commencing with training flights in Tiger Moths in September 1941 and ending in Rowan’s death in action as a Spitfire pilot in No. 4 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron on 14 May 1944, the often detailed operational entries forming a complete and poignant record of a gallant fighter pilot in action over North Africa, Sicily and Italy 1942-44 - and noting the assorted combat claims and victories that led to the award of his D.F.C., covers worn, contents good; together with two original wartime portrait photographs, and Adjutant-General’s Office, Union of South Africa ‘Certified True Copy’ of his D.F.C. citation, dated 25 August 1945, presumably as sent to his next of kin (Lot) £800-1000

Rowland William Rowan, who was born in January 1923, commenced pilot training at No. 6 Air School, Potchefstroom, South Africa in September 1941 and, following further experience gained at No. 24 Air School, was posted to No. 6 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron, and thence to No. 4 (S.A.A.F.) Squadron, 233 Wing, a Kittyhawk unit in North Africa.

Flying his first sortie on 1 August 1942, he went on to complete well over 80 operations in Tunisia between then and May 1943, his log book noting assorted claims, among them damaged 109s on 10 and 26 October 1942, the former ‘Last seen with white smoke - gave two bursts’, in addition to a close call in the same month when another 109 locked onto his tail - luckily Lieutenant Rowbottom was on hand to shoot it down. Having then claimed another damaged 109 on 30 April 1943 - ‘Saw pieces fly off’ - Rowan was rested from operations.

Converting to Spitfires towards the end of his rest period, Rowan was back in action with No. 4 Squadron in August 1943 at the time of the Sicilian campaign, and later over Italy, his log book recording around another 40 operational patrols, mainly of the armed reconnaissance and dive-bombing kind, and often in great detail - thus much damage inflicted on enemy positions and transport amidst intense flak, his own aircraft being hit on at least two occasions. In fact, by January 1944, he had advanced his operational flying hours to the 200 mark and completed a total of 139 sorties - he was recommended for the D.F.C.:

‘For tenacity, devotion to duty and continuous gallantry over a period of 17 months in operations against the enemy in Africa, Sicily and Italy. Lieutenant Rowan has completed 200 hours operational flying and has three enemy aircraft damaged to his credit. As a Flight Leader, this officer has set a very high standard of aggressive and efficient flying. His courage, resolution and fighting spirit, combined with a strong personality, classify him as a pilot of outstanding ability.’

Rested until April 1944, he returned to an operational footing back in No. 4 Squadron, 7 Wing at the end of that month, and, following six further escort sorties and three dive-bombing missions, he was killed in action over Italy on 14 May, shortly before the announcement of the award of his D.F.C. in the London Gazette of 23 May:

‘On this operation whilst in his dive onto the target at S732260 Lt. Rowan’s a./c. was seen to burst into flames (Reason unknown) at 4/2,000 feet. A./c. hit the ground at above p./p. and burnt out completely. Lt. Rowan is posted as killed in operations’ (his final log book entry refers).

Aged 21 years at the time of his death, and the son of William and Eva Rowan of Johannesburg, he is buried in the Ancona War Cemetery, Italy.