You will all have received a letter on Thursday concerning the following
Funeral of Ronald Howells
He was the flight engineer of A Lancaster Bomber of 103 squadron. On the night of 20th December 1943 over Frankfurt at the age of 20, he was shot down and captured together with the other two survivours, the pilot and the navigator. The navigator did not survive and died from phnumonia, the concentration camp in which the skipper and Ronald were in was overun by the Russians who were reluctant to release prisoners of war at the end of hostilities. However, after some months Ronald and his Skipper decided to make a run for the American lines, which was highly dangerous, as the Russians were inclined to shoot first and ask questions afterwards. However they did manage to reach American lines
His funeral will be at Gt Burtsead next Thur 18th. Parade at Squadron in uniform No2 10.30
The padre has requested that we form a Guard of honour on the approach to the church and at the cemetry
Please show the letter to your parents. I need to know if we can accomodate the family wish to have RAF uniforms at the service. I will need a definite answer by Tuesday
