Memorials & Monuments
on the Isle of Wight
- Biography -
- Rowe brothers -

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, July 12, 1940 Page 2

Ventnor and the War.
Rapid promotion by R.A.F.
Congratulations to Mr. E.J. Rowe, R.A.F., younger son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Rowe, of Alexandra Gardens, who has been promoted to sergeant within twelve months of his enlistment in the wireless branch of this service. Mr. Rowe was formerly employed at the Royal National Hospital and prior to that was at the Country House with Messrs. Barton and Maples. His elder brother, Geoffrey, has joined the R.A.F. this week. He has been in the employ of the Abingdon U.D.C. since his departure from Ventnor after several years' service with the Ventnor U.D.C. We shall watch with interest the future career of these promising young townsmen.

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, May 16, 1941 Page 3

Another Ventnor Airman Reported Missing

Sergt.-Pilot G.W. Rowe
On Monday morning Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Rowe, of 3 Alexandra Gardens, Ventnor, received official information by wire that their elder son, Sergt.-Pilot Geoffrey W. Rowe, R.A.F., was missing during operations over Germany at the week-end. It was intimated that a letter would follow. The notification has been received with the utmost regret by all who know this popular airman, and sympathy with the parents in their grave anxiety has been expressed on all sides.
Sergt.-Pilot Rowe, who is 24 years of age and single, had terminated a fortnight's holiday only on the previous Monday, and during the time he spent in his home town he was warmly welcomed by hosts of friends. Before entering the R.A.F., he filled a responsible position in the accountant's department of the Abingdon Urban District Council. Previous to this he gained much useful experience in this branch of local government work in the offices of the Ventnor Urban District Council. As a lad he was for a time employed by Mr. W. Rowntree in the Mercury editorial office. "Geoff" is a general favourite, an out and out sportsman, with an abundance of good spirits and geniality which endeared him to all, and his friends here have watched with pride his rapid advancement in the R.A.F. That the anxious parents will receive reassuring news as to his safety is the earnest desire of all who know them.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowe's younger son, Edward, is a Sergt. Wireless Operator in the R.A.F., and is at present with the Middle East Force.
Is Missing Man a Prisoner of War?
Yesterday (Thursday) morning Mr. Rowe received a letter from the Wing Commander of the Squadron to which Sergt.-Pilot Rowe is attached. It ran: - "Please may I offer you from myself and on behalf of the whole Squadron our deepest sympathy. Although your son had not been with us very long, he had already shown himself to possess great courage and ability and his loss is a blow to the whole squadron. Though I have no evidence, and do not wish to raise false hopes, it is my own hope that your son may be safe as a prisoner of war. I hope that it will be of some comfort to you to know of his great courage and devotion to duty and that it will encourage you, as it does us, to hope.
Again please accept our deepest sympathy and my assurance that there is hope."

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, September 25, 1942 Page 2

Distressing News for Ventnor Parents.
It is our sad duty to record bad news received this week by the parents of two well-known young Ventnorians.
... It is difficult to express in cold print the feelings of sorrow aroused in the town when it became known that Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Rowe, of 3 Alexandra Gardens, had received a telegram on Tuesday evening notifying them that their younger son, Sergt. Wireless-Operator Edward [sic] Rowe, R.A.F., was missing following an operational flight. The young fellow only left Ventnor on Saturday last after a seven-day's leave. It will be painfully recalled that in May of last year Mr. and Mrs. Rowe's elder son, Sergt.-Pilot Geoffrey W. Rowe, R.A.F., was reported missing following a bombing raid over enemy territory, and since then no definitive message has come to hand to break the terrible suspense. The feelings of the distracted parents may well be imagined. We can but express the hope that better news will come to hand and that a realisation of the heartfelt sympathy of all who know them will in a measure relieve the strain under which Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are now suffering.
(not all the report has been transcribed)

ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY

Friday, October 2, 1942 Page 2

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

MR. AND MRS. J.G. ROWE, 3 Alexandra Gardens, would like to thank all those who have sent messages of sympathy in their anxiety, which have comforted them so much, and for the beautiful flowers. Especially would they like to thank the W.V.S., and all kind friends at Whitwell. Please accept this, the only intimation.