Wilfred Bowes
| Wilfred Bowes | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Wilfred Bowes |
| Nickname(s) | Freddie |
| Born |
19 February 1904 West Hartlepool, Durham |
| Died | 6 June 1970 (aged 66) Hounslow, London |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/ |
 Royal Air Force
|
| Years of service | 1919–1946 |
| Rank | Wing Commander |
| Unit | Special Investigation Branch |
| Commands held | Special Investigation Branch |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | |
| Relations | Annie(nee Fisher) - wife |
Wilfred Bowes, OBE(19 February 1904 – 6 June 1970), was a British Royal Air Force service police detective who ran the Special Investigation Branch from 1944. He headed the investigation into the murders of recaptured officers who had escaped in the 'Great Escape' from Stalag Luft III in March 1944.
Bowes was born West Hartlepool, Durham the youngest son of Thomas Bowes a Blacksmith and steel worker, his mother Euphemia died before he was two years old. He grew up at 70 Beechwood Road West Hartlepool where the children were cared for by their eldest sister.
Bowes is reported to have joined the RAF under-age in 1918 and seen service in the Chanak Peninsula in Turkey. His formal service enlistment in the Royal Air Force dates from August 1919 as Aircraftman 2nd Class (service number 334463). During the 1920s he became a Royal Air Force policeman and married Amelia "Annie" Fisher in Bromley, Kent in late 1924 In the late 1920s as a Corporal Bowes transferred to the Royal Air Force Police. He served at RAF Halton from 4 March 1932, after promotion to sergeant. His sons John and Brian were born during this period, both were to have long careers with the RAF Police themselves. Bowes was promoted to flight sergeant in 1935 and in that rank was awarded the Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1938 (effective 20 August 1937). He was a founder member of the Special Investigation Branch conducting criminal investigations for the service. He was promoted Warrant Officer on 1 December 1938.
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