P/O. Harry Lockley Knowles
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 226 Squadron
from:91 Hawton Crescent, Wollaston Park, Nottingham
(d.25th November 1944)
My Uncle Harry Knowles died in action in 1944. It was a mystery for years and my grandparents received a telegram saying "Missing believed dead". That's all the family ever knew until now. It was only recently with the help of some researchers on a Bomber Command page on Facebook I was advised to look at the National Archives at Kew. From doing this I found out the tragic story of Harry L Knowle's death. Taken from 226 Squadron Operational log book 25th November 1944 "11 Mitchell's led by F/L Edmond were despatched to attack the Railway Marshalling Yard at Rheydt. 9 aircraft attacked from 12,500/13,000 feet at 11.03 hours with 72x500lb M.C. T.D. Bombs. Bombs from the first box fell in the town to the west of the target, the second box found the primary target covered by cloud and a attacked a railway North of Gladbach, before falling in the south side of the town. Intense accurate heavy flak was encountered before reaching the target, and aircraft T received a direct hit in the port engine. The aircraft went down in flames and was seen to explode on hitting the ground; no parachutes were seen. Heavy flak was encountered over the target area and on the way to Heindberg seven aircraft received minor damage. Aircraft L returned soon after taking off, owing to a propeller breaking. Weather 6/10-7/10 cloud, to 6,000 feet. Visibility 10 miles.
Sadly the aircraft crew in aircraft T HD336 a Mitchell MkII, included my Uncle the second Pilot on this op with P/O S. Moore, P/O H.L.Knowles, F/0 Henshaw and F/O Hunfift, the last name is difficult to read as it has been over typed, shot down at 10.55 after take off 9.55
Harry was my mother's brother. He earned four service medals to include 39-45 star
