Howitt, Adam Gordon
Rank: Captain
Regiment: 12th Battalion East Surrey Regiment
Biography: Son of Adam Howitt, factor ; born Ellon, 11 June 1884 ; educated Gordon's College; graduated B.Sc. (Agr.), 1910. He entered the service of the Potash Syndicate, and after spending a time in their offices in Germany went in 1912 to South Africa as their Director of Propaganda. Howitt joined the Cape Town Highlanders on the outbreak of war, and took part in 1914-15 in General Botha's Campaign in German West Africa, rising from Private to Lieutenant. On the conclusion of that campaign he came to England, and in October 1915 obtained a commission in the East Surrey Regiment. He served in Ireland during the rebellion, proceeded to France in May 1916, and was wounded on the Somme. After a period at home he returned to France in March 1917, was awarded the Military Cross, and promoted Captain for his services in the Field, June 1917. ''The success of the raid,'' runs the official note, ''was due to his good leadership and cool judgment''. He was killed at Hollebeke in the repulse of a sudden counter-attack, 5 August 1917. His Colonel wrote : ''Although outnumbered, and under climatic conditions impossible to adequately describe, Captain Howitt and his men beat the enemy back in the fierce hand-to-hand fighting. 'Jock' Howitt died fighting to the last, one of the bravest of the brave. . . . Had he survived he would have secured another well-earned decoration.''
Honours: Military Cross
Date of Death: 05 August 1917
Burial Details: Name recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Panel 34, Column 13.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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