AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR (Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT” 202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944

Royal Flying Corps MedalsDOODLEBUG-BUZZ BOMB POSTER 1944Royal Air Force Medals (1918-1939)RFC & RAF ORIGINAL AIRCREW BADGES RFC & RAF GALLANTRY MEDALS. WW1 & WW2AIRCREW CASUALTIES & P.O.W. 1939-1945RESISTANCE MEDALS (WW1 & WW2 EUROPE)R.A.F. & ARMY AIR CORPS (Other)RFC & RAF (SPECIAL GALLERY)R.A.F. MEDALS (SOLD ARCHIVE)
AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944







AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR (Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT” 202 Sqd (CASUALTY)

KILLED-IN-ACTION 18th August 1944.

To:
F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES R.A.F.(VR)

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 The Catalina IVa (JX201 AX-) of 202 Squadron struck high ground shortly after a night take off from the Rock of Gibraltar for an anti-submarine patrol over the Mediterranean Sea. The crash site was in the mountains to the rear of Cadiz at Punta Acebuche, Tarifa, Carnero.

The entire crew were killed.

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 Included is the official telegram sent to the then Mrs Bowles confirming that her husband had been killed on operations.


AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 Also with the group are various personal & RAF group photos.




AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944



The official Royal Condolence letter, addressed to Mrs L.N. BOWLES who is believed to be the mother of F/O Bowles. The mailing box of issue with its Medal & Air Council condolence slip with issue list & serial number ticket is addressed to Mrs W.E. GUSSMAN which was the second married name of the previous Mrs W.E. Bowles.

As was the case with all casualties sustained in Gibraltar, due to the unavailability of burial grounds, Military interments were made at sea just off the coast, in this case with the bodies being taken to the committal area by two RAF motor launches.

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 A full photographic record of the sea committal service was made with eight pictures being sent to the families of the lost men. The photo set which was sent to the then Mrs Bowles is included here along with a six page letter from the RAF chaplain who conducted the service.

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944 AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944





A Highly Unusual & Fully Documented Coastal Command Assembly.
SOLD

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR 
(Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT”  202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES  R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR (Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT” 202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944
£SOLD

AN UNUSUAL R.A.F. “COASTAL COMMAND” GIBRALTAR (Anti-Submarine) “CATALINA FLYING BOAT” 202 Squadron (CASUALTY) To: F/O LESLIE NORMAN BOWLES R.A.F.(VR) Killed-in-Action 18th August 1944