Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Flight Lieutenant H. M. McGowan, Royal Air Force

Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1920 (340341 Cpl. H. M. Mc.Gowan. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, good very fine or better and rare (3) £600-£800

Richard Magor Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, July 2003.

Harry Mansfield McGowan was born in Portsmouth on 4 March 1900 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force on 22 September 1919, aged 19. He was swiftly sent out for service in Egypt and the Middle East on 13 November 1919, and joined H.M.S. Ark Royal on 20 December 1919 before joining "Z Unit", R.A.F. in Somaliland, comprising 36 officers and 189 other ranks.

Following the operations in Somaliland, McGowan joined 14 Squadron in the Middle East on 15 April 1920. He continued his service in Egypt and Iraq until 1923 when he returned home to England, and was discharged in 1931 after 12 years’ service. He saw further service during the Second World War as a Flight Lieutenant in the Administrative and Special Duties Branch.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.