William Frank Howett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
He was the only son of William Stokes Howett of 8 Mabel Grove, West Bridgford. William Stokes Howett predeceased his son. His mother, Elizabeth, was living at Zulla Road. Nottingham, at the time of her son's death (obit). Elizabeth, emigrated to Rhodesia where she died of cancer and was buried in the Bulawayo cemetery. William's sister, Marjorie Mary Howett, also emigrated to Rhodesia in the late 1930's and tragically drowned in Cape Town.
No.4 Fighting School. He was killed in an aeroplane accident and buried in Carrington (St John) Churchyard (grave ref Old.I.13).Flying a Sopwith Camel, the R.A.F. investigation concluded that the cause of the accident was a “Loss of speed whilst turning near the ground thereby causing [the] machine to fall into a spin with insufficient height to recover.” [1][1] Casualty Card, R.A.F. Museum, Hendon courtesy Jim Grundy
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged) 18 December 1918: 'HOWETT, killed in aeroplane accident, December 17th, at Freish Bush, Second Lieutenant William Frank Howett RAF, son of the late William Stokes Howett and Mrs Howett, 25 Zulla Road, Nottingham, age 19.'In memoriam published 17th December 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HOWETT. – In loving memory of my dear son, Second-Lieut. W. F. Howett, R.A.F., killed whilst flying December 17th, 1918. - Mother and sister Marjorie.“HOWETT. – In fondest memory of my dear chum, Second-Lieut. Howett, R.A.F. (Snowy), killed at Frieston whilst flying, December 17th, 1918, 3.20 p.m. - Not forgotten by his pal F. J. Walton.“HOWETT. – In loving memory of Second-Lieut. W. F. Howett, R.A.F., killed whilst flying at Frieston December 17th, 1918. - Nance.” Above in memoriam are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Family headstone, St John Carrington: 'To the dear memory of Sec. Lieut. William Frank Howett RAF, only son of Elizabeth and the late WS Howett, killed whilst flying December 17th 1918 aged 19 years. Through Ardour to Heavens'
