Flight Sergeant G.W.Rowlett, BEM

**yeoldbarn** · 29th November 2020, 11:04

Came across a Flight Sergeant George Williams Rowlett and it says he was awarded the BEM in 1945. I would appreciate it if anyone could find the citation for his BEM and also the role he played during the war? Also, a friend said he was promoted to Warrant Officer but he says he can't seem to really pinpoint the year he was promoted to W/O.

**Resmoroh** · 29th November 2020, 12:15

yeoldbarn, Hi,
562602 Flt Sgt George Williams Rowlett, RAF, was still a Flt Sgt as at 1945-06-00.
His Service Number indicates he Enlisted as an Aircraft Apprentice in Entry 18(?) Sep 1928(?) at Halton. Somebody with Halton info/contacts might be able to help?
This indicates he was born around 1913. There are 2 George W Rowletts registered (FREEBMD) in Q4 1912 – might be one of them?
This would make him aged 55 in 1967 (and 60 in 1972) – don’t know when W/Os retired?
Can’t find his DC (prob before 2012?). This will, likely, indicate his profession/title before death?
Lot of question marks!!!
HTH
Peter Davies

**Ross_McNeill** · 29th November 2020, 12:37

yeoldbarn One of the strengths of this site is the extensive archive - should always be first out of your research tool bag for RAF matters - can answer or give pointers to many questions.

this is from 2006

ROWLETT, George Williams, FS - BEM - 450614 - 6341 Service Ech - RAFVR

http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/09329.php

So now you know his unit and that is was probably for activites associated in field servicing No.341 Squadron

Squadron ORB is next call and a request to Hugh
http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/sho...1945&styleid=3

Ross

**Resmoroh** · 29th November 2020, 12:57

yeoldbarn/Ross,
But if he was a "Halton Brat" then he should(?) have been RAF - and not RAFVR as indicated above?
6341 SE formed at Perranporth 1944-03-22 to service 341 (French!) Sqn Spitfires. Seems to have had a somewhat peripatetic existence until it combined with (or was taken over by) 6344 SE late in 1944 (Sturtivant). BEM might be for his ability to understand/get-on-with the Gallic colleagues??
HTH
Peter Davies

**Ross_McNeill** · 29th November 2020, 13:06

Yup - "Published by Authority" says RAF

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/.../2966/data.pdf

Ross

**yeoldbarn** · 29th November 2020, 16:38

Ross, forgive me but could you explain what the following means exactly?

ROWLETT, George Williams, FS - BEM - 450614 - 6341 Service Ech - RAFVR

What I've understood is written below?

SURNAME, FORENAME, RANK - AWARD NAME - SERVICE NO.(?) - Unit number?? - RAF/RAFVR

I'm not entirely sure what 6341 Service Ech translate to?

**Ross_McNeill** · 29th November 2020, 17:02

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Halliday

Hugh had an immense input to record citations for aerial gallantry awards which he generously shared on the early RAF Commands web site. As he expanded to include all aerial awards he posted updates here and was helped by various members such as Steve Brew et al.

https://www.rcafassociation.ca/herit...tname&type=all

If you follow the posted links and look at the posts Hugh explains both the source/format and "The list (to date). Note that dates are given as entered and sorted by computer (i.e. 450101 = 1 January 1945)."

If you click the gazette link I gave Peter you will see it's dated 14th June 1945 - 450614 for computer sorting methods to cover 14/6/45 and 6/14/45 notation.

No.6341 Service Ech was his unit at time of citation No.6341 Servicing Echelon.

Ross

**HughAHalliday** · 29th November 2020, 21:59

ROWLETT, George Williams, Flight Sergeant (562602, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve) - No.6341 Servicing Echelon - British Empire Medal - awarded as per London Gazette dated 14 June 1945. Public Record Office Air 2/9094 has citation.

Flight Sergeant Rowlett has had a long connection with French squadrons. He was posted to this Servicing Echelon on its formation 2 ½ years ago. He worked under a French Engineer Officer and showed a high degree of tact and organizing ability in training a unit, consisting of approximately 80 Allied personnel to the high standard demanded by the Royal Air Force. On the formation of 145 Wing he became Non-Commissioned Officer in charge of the R and I Section. In this capacity he showed great patience and understanding in dealing with French personnel and has done much to foster good relations with our Allies. For over two months while his Wing was under constant "V" fire at Antwerp he displayed outstanding leadership and great courage.