Herbert Rowley
| Herbert Victor Rowley | |
|---|---|
| Born |
24 October 1897 Crich, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | 9 April 1966 (aged 68) |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | Royal Navy Royal Air Force |
| Years of service | 1916–1944 |
| Rank | Air Commodore |
| Unit | |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II • Burma Campaign |
Air Commodore Herbert Victor Rowley (24 October 1897 – 9 April 1966) was a British air officer of the Royal Air Force. He was a World War I flying ace, credited with nine aerial victories while serving in the Royal Naval Air Service, but became a member of the Royal Air Force when the RNAS was consolidated into it. Rowley remained in the RAF post-war, serving through World War II, until retiring in 1944.
Herbert Victor Rowley was born in Crich, Derbyshire, the second son of the Reverend Arthur Rowley and his wife Agnes. By 1901 the family were living in Clarborough, Nottinghamshire, and by 1911 in Kneeton.
Rowley entered the Royal Navy to serve in the Royal Naval Air Service as a probationary temporary flight sub-lieutenant on 30 April 1916. On 24 June he was posted to RNAS Chingford, and on completion of his basic flight training, was granted Royal Aero Club Aviators Certificate No. 3569 on 24 August. On 23 October he was posted to RNAS Cranwell for further training, and on 4 November to RNAS East Fortune, where he was confirmed in his rank on 7 November.
On 10 January 1917 Rowley was posted to RNAS Dover, then assigned to No. 1 (Naval) Squadron RNAS, based in France, in February to fly the Sopwith Triplane single-seat fighter.
He gained his first aerial victory on 29 April, with two further victories following in July, and another in August. On 31 August he was appointed an acting-flight lieutenant, receiving promotion to flight lieutenant on 1 October, and was appointed an acting-flight commander on 5 October. He gained his fifth victory, which made him an "ace", in November. His squadron was then re-equipped with the Sopwith Camel. Rowley shot down an observation balloon and two enemy aircraft in March 1918, and finally on 1 April, the day that the Royal Naval Air Service was merged with the Army's Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force, gained his ninth and final victory. He then returned to serve in England on 27 April.
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