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  Air Commodore T E B Howe

Thomas Edward Barham            b: 4 Sep 1886                r: 19 Aug 1941               d: 2 Jan 1970

CBE - 1 Jan 1936, AFC - 2 Nov 1918, Bar - 1 Jan 1923, MiD - 1 May 1918, MiD - 17 Mar 1941, Winner, 'Dunning Memorial Trophy' - 1926

(RNAS): - (T) Flt Sub-Lt (P): 3 Apr 1916, (T) Flt Sub-Lt: 4 Dec 1916 [3 Apr 1916], Flt Sub-Lt: 15 Nov 1916, Act Flt Lt: 12 Feb 1917, (T) Flt Lt: 1 Oct 1917, (T) Act Flt Cdr: 7 Feb 1918.

(RAF): - (H) Capt [Lt]: 1 Apr 1918, Capt: 1 Dec 1918, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Sqn Ldr: 1 Jan 1924, Wg Cdr: 1 Jan 1928, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1933, A/Cdre: 1 Jul 1937.

26 Oct 1914:            Private, Australian Infantry Force

 5 Apr 1916:            Discharged from Australian Infantry Force

 3 Jun 1916:             U/T Pilot, Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment.

xx xxx xxxx:             Instructor, Cranwell Central Depot and Training Establishment.

11 Sep 1918:           Embarked for France

12 Sep 1918:           Flight Commander, No 18 Sqn

 1 Aug 1919:            Awarded Permanent Commission as a Captain.

 1 Sep 1919:            Returned to Home Establishment

 5 Sep 1919:            Instructor, Air Pilotage School.

23 Sep 1919:            Announcement of Permanent Commission cancelled

24 Oct 1919:            Awarded Short Service Commission in the rank of Flight Lieutenant (Aeroplane).

24 Oct 1919:            Awarded Permanent Commission in rank of Flight Lieutenant.

15 Jan 1923:             'A' Flight Commander, No 11 Sqn.

 1 May 1923:            Officer Commanding, No 32 Sqn. (Snipe I - Kenley)

 2 Jul 1923:               Flight Commander, No 32 Sqn. (Snipe I - Kenley)

22 Oct 1923:            Officer Commanding, No 32 Sqn.

 5 May 1924:            Attended RAF Staff College.

14 Apr 1925:            Appointed to duty aboard HMS Furious (on commissioning)

 1 Sep 1925:             RAF Staff, HMS Furious.

18 Jan 1929             Officer Commanding, RAF Northolt

25 Feb 1929:            Supernumerary, No 203 Sqn. (Southampton II – Mount Batten)

26 Feb 1929:            Officer Commanding, Air Party, No 203 Sqn. (Southampton II – Mount Batten/Basrah)

14 Mar 1929:            Officer Commanding, No 203 Sqn. (Southampton II – Basrah)

20 No 1930:             Departed for Home Establishment

 5 Jan 1931:              Staff, Directorate of Training.

18 Aug 1933:            SOA/SESO, HQ Fighting Area.

 1 Jan 1934 - 21 Aug 1935:             Extra Air ADC to King George V

 4 Sep 1935:              Air Attaché, Washington.

15 Nov 1937:            Supernumerary, HQ, No 12 (Fighter) Group

20 Nov 1937:            SASO/Temporary AOC, HQ No 12 (Fighter) Group.

14 Dec 1937:             SASO, HQ No 12 (Fighter) Group.

30 Nov 1938:            AOC, No 17 (Training) Group.

xx xxx 1941 - xx xxx 1942:            Employed on Aircrew Reception duties. (Ret'd)

xx xxx 1942 - xx xxx 1948:            Dominions & Welfare Personnel Officer

Born in Ireland and educated at Dover College, he was living in Australia before World War 1, where he joined the Australian Infantry Force with whom he served during the Gallipoli campaign.  Wounded at Anzac Cove he transferred to the RNAS following recovery.   He gained RAeC Certificate No 3322 on 3 August 1916.

On enlistment with the ANZAC forces in 1914. As a RNAS Flt Lt, probably around 1918. T E B Howe seated in a Bristol F2B
On enlistment with the ANZAC forces in 1914. As a RNAS Flt Lt, probably around 1918. T E B Howe seated in a Bristol F2B, possibly at Andover whilst serving at the Air Pilotage School.  This aircraft may have been involved in some early meteorological reconnaissance flights.
T E B Howe whilst serving at HQ Fighting Area 1933 -1935 Formal pose as a Group Captain. Air Attache in Washington - this looks like his journey out there, so about 1935.
T E B Howe whilst serving at HQ Fighting Area 1933 -1935 Formal pose as a Group Captain. Air Attache in Washington - this looks like his journey out there, so about 1935.

Formal pose as an Air Commodore.

Around 1960, with his wife Mary S. Howe

Around 1966, with his wife, probably the last picture taken.
Formal pose as an Air Commodore. Around 1960, with his wife Mary S. Howe Around 1966, with his wife, probably the last picture taken.
Probably around 1939 when he married. A formal portrait as an Air Commodore Photo of T E B Howe 1            Photo of T E B Howe 2
Probably around 1939 when he married. A formal portrait as an Air Commodore

Almost certainly taken on the same occasion.  He is wearing WWI but not yet WWII decorations so the date is probably around 1945
Another formal picture, probably on promotion to Air Commodore. Vickers Valentias at RAF Hinaidi in Iraq T E B Howe with Rear Admiral Sir Arthur Bromley
Another formal picture, probably on promotion to Air Commodore. Vickers Valentias at RAF Hinaidi in Iraq

The back of this says that the Rear Admiral was Sir Arthur Bromley.   It was probably taken when father was on troop reception duties in the 1940s.
Tom Howe's wedding in May 1939. A group of officers with MRAF Viscount Trenchard. TEBH as Air Attache in Washington, so about 1936.
Tom Howe's wedding in May 1939.   From left to right, Cynthia Acland, TEBH, Mary Howe, Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill, Joan Acland.   Joan and Cynthia were Mary Howe's daughters by her first husband, Wing Cdr Wilfrid Acland.   Sir Frederick "Ginger" Bowhill was probably Best Man. A group of officers with MRAF Viscount Trenchard, TEBH is on the right; it is not known who the others are.   No date unfortunately

TEBH as Air Attache in Washington, so about 1936.
American and British Officers at a port of embarkation to greet a large contingent of American Air Force men
A US Army photo dated 11th May 1943, taken when TEBH was Dominions & Welfare Personnel Officer 1942-1948.   Legend on back: "American and British Officers at a port of embarkation to greet a large contingent of American Air Force men.   They are (L-to-R) Gen. Sir Reginald May, K.C.B.; Col. J.A. Crothers, American Port Commander; Air. Comm. T.E.B. Howe, R.A.F. and Brig. Gen. J.L. Phillips, Visiting Port Commander from America."   The location was Gourock, Scotland

All photographs on this page courtesy ©Gilbert Howe, Air Commodore Howe's son.

This page was last updated on 09/04/23

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