We are all saddened by the recent loss of (Air Commodore) John Adam Sowrey (1920 – 2010).
While looking into the history of the remarkable Sowrey RAF family, I came across the attached photograph. From the context of the archive in which I found it, it should be John’s father, John Sowrey (born 13 January 1892).
Is there anyone who can confirm that it is he – perhaps from group photographs or from family photographs? Alternatively, if it is not he, can anyone tell me who he is?
John Sowrey did qualify for an Aviator’s Certificate, but unfortunately the usual photograph is missing. Therefore, this possible candidate needs to be cross-checked against alternative sources.
Thank you very much.
By: John Aeroclub - 25th January 2011 at 19:46
Scanned from the Times 4th Jan
John
By: cotteswold - 25th January 2011 at 19:27
Oh, dear – senile – read died last year as same year, so ignored.
Yes – the younger.
= Tim
By: Bager1968 - 25th January 2011 at 19:04
A hint… in 1947 the older John Sowery would have been 53 or 54, while the younger John Adam Sowery would have been 27.
How old (roughly) was the one you met?
By: cotteswold - 25th January 2011 at 18:16
So who/which was the John Sowrey who let me fly one of his squadron’s Spit 21s in 1947??
= Tim
By: andrewd - 25th January 2011 at 00:10
John Sowrey
My thanks to everyone who has joined in so far. The Sowreys are an amazing family, and it is great to see so much interest.
The story begins with John Sowrey, who was a Deputy Chief Inspector Of Inland Revenue. He had three sons, all of whom learned to fly and obtained Aviators’ Certificates during the course of the First World War:
— Frederick Sowrey (born 13 January 1892)
— John Sowrey (born 25 August 1893)
— William Sowrey (born 9 August 1894)
Frederick Sowrey downed Zeppelin L32 and there are lots of photos of him. It is his brother John who is possibly the chap in the photo above.
Frederick had a son, Frederick Beresford Sowrey (born 14 September 1922).
John had sons:
— John Adam Sowrey (born 5 January 1920), who died late last year
— James Alan Frederick Sowrey (born late 1921), who was shot down in June 1941
(I think this information is all OK, but I’m happy to be corrected, if wrong.)
For those of you who know and are in touch with Frederick Beresford Sowrey (or indeed any member of this extended family), I would love for you to ask him if he is able to confirm the identity of the pilot in the photograph as his Uncle John.
The country owes a huge debt of gratitude to this amazing family of aviators. Let’s do all we can to keep their memories alive.
By: Canuck - 24th January 2011 at 23:03
The one I have in mind is still alive – thus I doubt that it was he who was decorated for nocturnal successes against Zeppelins!
At the risk of being considered rude… aren’t you Brit types prone to mo(u)ld well, like a fine Stilton? 😀
Thanks, John – I was guessing it might be a pere-et-fils deal. Sir Freddy has got to be severely WW II vintage, one guesses?
By: avion ancien - 24th January 2011 at 21:44
Then he is a man of many parts. For a long time he has been the president of the industrial archaeological society of which I am a member.
By: John Aeroclub - 24th January 2011 at 21:37
AM Sir Freddy (whom I have met several times) has long been associated with Cross and Cockade and it was his father who was the Zeppelin victor. Yes they are all of the same family, quite a number of aviators.
John
By: avion ancien - 24th January 2011 at 20:30
There was a Frederick Sowrey in WW I who was decorated for night-fighter success against Zeppelins, I believe.
The one I have in mind is still alive – thus I doubt that it was he who was decorated for nocturnal successes against Zeppelins!
By: Canuck - 24th January 2011 at 18:50
Just found this:
http://www.rafhornchurch.thehumanjourney.net/pilot_pages/Sowery.htm
By: Canuck - 24th January 2011 at 18:43
There was a Frederick Sowrey in WW I who was decorated for night-fighter success against Zeppelins, I believe.
By: avion ancien - 24th January 2011 at 18:24
Is Air Marshall Sir Frederick Sowrey of the same family? If he is, I have contact details for him and he might be willing and able to assist with your enquiry, Andrew.
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January 24, 2011 at 3:59 pm