Jeremy Howard-Williams
Encyclopedia
Jeremy Napier Howard-Williams D.F.C.
(13 March 1922 – 8 September 1995) was a Second World War fighter pilot
who later wrote several books including what became the "classic account of the sail-maker's art".
, Hampshire and then at Felsted
in Essex and the Institut de Touraine at Tours
, France.
On 29 September 1951, he married Diana Gillian "Jill" Inglis (born 15 June 1931), the daughter of Air Vice-Marshal Frank Inglis
(1899–1969) who was the Head of RAF Intelligence
Staff reporting to Churchill during the War. They had three children:
, serving in No. 604 Squadron
, known as the night fighter
squadron, based at Middle Wallop
, under the command of Group Captain John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham
, flying Bristol Beaufighter
s.
After a tour of operations with the squadron, he joined the Fighter Interception Unit
, which made use of the RAF’s early experiments with radar, testing the products of the electronic laboratories in combat. In the development unit, he flew in British (Mosquito
and Tempest
), American (Black Widow), and captured German (Messerschmitt Me 410
) aircraft and used all types of airborne radar.
He achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant
, although he acted as Squadron Leader
. At the end of the war he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for gallantry. The citation read:
After the war he served in Singapore, Germany and finally as Assistant Air Attaché
to the British Embassy in Paris.
on the Isle of Wight
. During his time with Ratsey, he gained the material for his first book, Teach Your Child about Sailing which was published in 1963.
He was a regular sailor, racing in dragons
in the Solent
, but was a poor swimmer. He invented the first all-in-one sailing jacket
which included many features now accepted as standard including whistle, harness etc. He also invented the Solent tide calculator, which gives the currents at any time of day.
In 1967, he published Sails; illustrated by drawings and photographs, the book detailed not only how sails and spars work but also how to extract the most speed from them, and has been described as the "classic account of the sail-maker's art". The book became a best seller and has been reprinted several times and translated into at least six languages.
of his publishing house, Adlard Coles, based at St. Albans. He remained with Adlard Coles for eight years, during which time his "efficiency, relentless insistence on other people doing their jobs, perspicacity and concern for people" transformed the company.
In 1976, he published Night Intruder: A Personal Account of the Radar War between the RAF and Luftwaffe Nightfighter Forces, in which he details his time with the Fighter Interception Unit describing how to fly and navigate a Mosquito, and his missions against the German night fighter airfields. The book also explains how radar altered the air combat environment in the Second World War.
He retired in 1982 to live at Warsash
, near Southampton, where he wrote The Complete Crossword Companion, which remains in print and was his biggest earner.
He died at Warsash on 8 September 1995. In his obituary he was described as
His ashes were scattered on the Solent.
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
(13 March 1922 – 8 September 1995) was a Second World War fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
who later wrote several books including what became the "classic account of the sail-maker's art".
Family and education
Howard-Williams was the son of Air Commodore Ernest Leslie Howard-Williams, an officer in the Royal Air Force, and Norah Christabel Gibson. He was educated at Hordle House School at Milford on SeaMilford on Sea
Milford on Sea is a large village and civil parish located on the south coast of England in the county of Hampshire. With a population of approximately 4500, Milford has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs in its high street, which borders the village green.-Overview:Milford on Sea is village...
, Hampshire and then at Felsted
Felsted School
Felsted School, an English co-educational day and boarding independent school, situated in Felsted, Essex. It is in the British Public School tradition, and was founded in 1564 by Richard Rich, 1st Baron Rich who, as Lord Chancellor and Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations, acquired...
in Essex and the Institut de Touraine at Tours
Tours
Tours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
, France.
On 29 September 1951, he married Diana Gillian "Jill" Inglis (born 15 June 1931), the daughter of Air Vice-Marshal Frank Inglis
Frank Inglis
Air Vice-Marshal Francis "Frank" Frederic Inglis CB, CBE was a British officer in the Royal Air Force who became the head of RAF Intelligence Staff during World War II reporting to Winston Churchill. In 1942 he was sent to America by Churchill, where he successfully persuaded President Franklin D...
(1899–1969) who was the Head of RAF Intelligence
RAF Intelligence
Intelligence services in the Royal Air Force is delivered by Officers of the Royal Air Force Operations Support Intelligence Branch and Airmen from the Intelligence Analyst Trade and Intelligence Analyst Trade...
Staff reporting to Churchill during the War. They had three children:
- Anthony Inglis (born 27 June 1952), who became a highly successful music conductor.
- Christopher (born 22 March 1954), who became a teacher and later was Director of Human Resources at DamartDamartDamart is a French company which specialises in clothing. Established in 1953 the brand became a household name in France and the UK. Although the brand specialises in a material called Thermolactyl, known for its insulation qualities, the label has expanded to include fashion items for the...
International. - Nicola (born 10 January 1957), who runs the Youth Ballet Ensemble in FreiburgFreiburgFreiburg im Breisgau is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. In the extreme south-west of the country, it straddles the Dreisam river, at the foot of the Schlossberg. Historically, the city has acted as the hub of the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain...
, Germany
Military career
In 1940, he joined the Local Defence Volunteers, fore-runners of the Home Guard, before volunteering for the RAF. In September 1941, he became a Pilot OfficerPilot Officer
Pilot officer is the lowest commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries. It ranks immediately below flying officer...
, serving in No. 604 Squadron
No. 604 Squadron RAF
No. 604 Squadron RAF was a squadron of the Royal Air Force notable for its pioneering role the development of radar-controlled night-fighter operations. The squadron was established in March 1930 at RAF Hendon as a day-bombing squadron of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. In July 1934, the squadron...
, known as the night fighter
Night fighter
A night fighter is a fighter aircraft adapted for use at night or in other times of bad visibility...
squadron, based at Middle Wallop
Army Air Corps Middle Wallop
Army Air Corps Middle Wallop is a British Army base near the Hampshire village of Middle Wallop. The base hosts 2 Regiment Army Air Corps and the School of Army Aviation. The role of 2 Regiment is training and so AAC Middle Wallop is the base where most Army Air Corps pilots begin their careers...
, under the command of Group Captain John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham
John Cunningham (RAF officer)
Group Captain John "Cat's Eyes" Cunningham CBE, DSO & Two Bars, DFC & Bar, , was a British Royal Air Force night fighter ace during World War II and a test pilot, both before and after the war...
, flying Bristol Beaufighter
Bristol Beaufighter
The Bristol Type 156 Beaufighter, often referred to as simply the Beau, was a British long-range heavy fighter modification of the Bristol Aeroplane Company's earlier Beaufort torpedo bomber design...
s.
After a tour of operations with the squadron, he joined the Fighter Interception Unit
Fighter Interception Unit
The Fighter Interception Unit was a special interceptor aircraft unit of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. It was part of Air Defence of Great Britain....
, which made use of the RAF’s early experiments with radar, testing the products of the electronic laboratories in combat. In the development unit, he flew in British (Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
and Tempest
Hawker Tempest
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force in the Second World War. The Tempest was an improved derivative of the Hawker Typhoon, and one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used during the war....
), American (Black Widow), and captured German (Messerschmitt Me 410
Messerschmitt Me 410
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a German heavy fighter and Schnellbomber used by Luftwaffe during World War II. Though essentially a straightforward modification of the Me 210, it was designated the Me 410 to avoid association with its notoriously flawed predecessor.-Design and...
) aircraft and used all types of airborne radar.
He achieved the rank of Flight Lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
, although he acted as Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
. At the end of the war he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
for gallantry. The citation read:
This officer has completed a very large number of sorties and throughout has set a fine example of keenness and devotion to duty. He has shot down at least two enemy aircraft, whilst in attacks on targets on the ground he has most effectively attacked numerous locomotives and mechanical vehicles. His resolute work has won great praise.
After the war he served in Singapore, Germany and finally as Assistant Air Attaché
Air attaché
An air attaché is an Air Force officer who is part of a diplomatic mission; this post is normally filled by a high-ranking officer.An air attaché typically represents the chief of his home air force in the foreign country where he serves. The day-to-day responsibilities include maintaining contacts...
to the British Embassy in Paris.
Sail maker
Howard-Williams was a keen sailor and sailed for the R.A.F. On leaving the R.A.F., he went to work for sail-makers Ratsey & Lapthorn, based at CowesCowes
Cowes is an English seaport town and civil parish on the Isle of Wight. Cowes is located on the west bank of the estuary of the River Medina facing the smaller town of East Cowes on the east Bank...
on the Isle of Wight
Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is a county and the largest island of England, located in the English Channel, on average about 2–4 miles off the south coast of the county of Hampshire, separated from the mainland by a strait called the Solent...
. During his time with Ratsey, he gained the material for his first book, Teach Your Child about Sailing which was published in 1963.
He was a regular sailor, racing in dragons
Dragon (keelboat)
thumbThe International Dragon is a one-design keelboat.The Dragon was designed by Norwegian Johan Anker in 1929. In 1948 the Dragon became an Olympic Class, a status it retained until the Munich Olympics in 1972...
in the Solent
Solent
The Solent is a strait separating the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England.The Solent is a major shipping route for passengers, freight and military vessels. It is an important recreational area for water sports, particularly yachting, hosting the Cowes Week sailing event annually...
, but was a poor swimmer. He invented the first all-in-one sailing jacket
Personal flotation device
A personal flotation device is a device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.Devices designed and approved by authorities for use by...
which included many features now accepted as standard including whistle, harness etc. He also invented the Solent tide calculator, which gives the currents at any time of day.
In 1967, he published Sails; illustrated by drawings and photographs, the book detailed not only how sails and spars work but also how to extract the most speed from them, and has been described as the "classic account of the sail-maker's art". The book became a best seller and has been reprinted several times and translated into at least six languages.
Publisher
After publishing several other books, in 1974 he was appointed managing editorManaging editor
A managing editor is a senior member of a publication's management team.In the United States, a managing editor oversees and coordinates the publication's editorial activities...
of his publishing house, Adlard Coles, based at St. Albans. He remained with Adlard Coles for eight years, during which time his "efficiency, relentless insistence on other people doing their jobs, perspicacity and concern for people" transformed the company.
In 1976, he published Night Intruder: A Personal Account of the Radar War between the RAF and Luftwaffe Nightfighter Forces, in which he details his time with the Fighter Interception Unit describing how to fly and navigate a Mosquito, and his missions against the German night fighter airfields. The book also explains how radar altered the air combat environment in the Second World War.
He retired in 1982 to live at Warsash
Warsash
Warsash is a village in southern Hampshire, England, situated at the mouth of the River Hamble, west of the area known as Locks Heath. Boating plays an important part in the village's economy, and the village has a sailing club...
, near Southampton, where he wrote The Complete Crossword Companion, which remains in print and was his biggest earner.
He died at Warsash on 8 September 1995. In his obituary he was described as
Warmhearted, energetic, and fiercely loyal to the causes in life that he admired, punctiliously good-mannered . . . he will be remembered with affection and respect in the many circles into which his life took him.
His ashes were scattered on the Solent.
Works
Amongst the works written or edited by Jeremy Howard-Williams are:- "Teach Your Child about Sailing" 1963
- "Sails" 1967
- "Racing Dinghy Sails" 1971
- "Crewing for Offshore Racing" 1973
- "Night Intruder: A Personal Account of the Radar War between the RAF and Luftwaffe Nightfighter Forces" 1976
- "Care and Repair of Sails" 1976
- "Practical Pilotage" 1977
- "Offshore Crew" 1979
- "The Complete Crossword Companion" 1984
- "The Complete Cryptic Crossword Companion" 1985
- "Small Boat Sails" 1987
- "Canvas Work" 1989
