Signed 1942 Postcard World War I Pilot RAF Harold Fowler U.S. Army Decorated

Description

Vintage Authentic Duty Free Postcard Correspondence from famous soldier, WWI fighter pilot, jockey, NYC Police Commissioner, WW2 Colonel, businessman and more Harold Fowler (1886-1957), to his wife Thyrza Fowler dated 8/31/1942 from London accompanying a parcel shipment to their home in NJ with added note from Fowler, 'Cheerio. All goes well. Love, HF.' Card measures approx. 3.25 x 5.5". We have several items of the Fowler's and 100% certain of its authenticity. Harold Fowler was one of the greatest soldiers in British AND American history. His story is stuff of legends and an absolutely unbelievable man. Following is brief summary of his life from Wiki AND earlyaviators.com: 'Group Captain Harold Fowler CMG DSO MC was a British soldier, aviator, banker, big game hunter and steeplechase jockey. He served during the first part of the First World War with the British army but later transferred to the United States army upon its entry into the war in 1917. He also served in the RAF during the Second World War. He was decorated by seven countries including the British, American, French and Belgium governments. Fowler also rode twice as an amateur jockey in the Grand National (1927 and 1928) horse race (being unseated both times) and also flew an aircraft through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris (as part of a drunken bet) in 1918. Born in Liverpool, England in 1887, his family moved to New York, whilst he was still a schoolboy. After graduating from Columbia University in 1908, he became a partner in the New York Stock Exchange firm of White, Weld and Company. In 1913, he was invited by the then US Ambassador to Great Britain, Walter Hines Page, to become his secretary. When the war came in August 1914, Fowler made strenuous attempts to be accepted into the British Army. Eventually, thanks to a recommendation from the General Officer commanding the London District, he was accepted and gazetted Second Lieutenant to the Royal Field Artillery on 3 February 1915, and served with the Gunners on the Western Front in the same year, thus earning a 1914/15 Star. Promotion to Lieutenant came on 1 January 1916. Seconded to the RFC, he trained as an observer, eventually being confirmed and gazetted Flying Officer (Observer) on 19 April 1916. He next trained as a pilot, qualifying for his full ‘Wings’ on 28 July following. Posted out to 2 Squadron in France on 24 January 1917, he was quickly promoted to T/Captain on 22 February following. Transferring as a Flight Commander to 12 Squadron (BE2c’s) soon after this, Fowler and his observer, Lieutenant F E Brown, Royal Dublin Fusiliers attached RFC, were credited with sending a Halberstadt Scout down in flames on 25 February 1917. On 2 April 1917, the same pair in BE2c, ‘2521', were engaged in combat during an Artillery Observation Patrol over Cité Calonne, by an Albatros. Following a series of prolonged exchanges, the fight petered out when the German machine broke off and turned for home. Having survived through ‘Bloody April’ and beyond, Fowler was able to returned to the Home Establishment on 11 June 1917. His MC was announced in the London Gazette of 18 July 1917: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done invaluable service in co-operating with the artillery. On one occasion he descended to 300 feet, and turned our guns on to parties of hostile troops. During the advance he was able to furnish much valuable information.' As the USA had entered the conflict on 6 April 1917, Fowler was allowed to resign his commission, with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant, on 16 June following. His combat experience invaluable to the USAS, he was gladly accepted into the American Army. During his service with the USAS, he was wounded, and decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal. For his subsequent work as a liaison officer between the USAS and the RAF, he was created Companion to the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG), by the British. (His 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Allied Victory Medal were, according to a note at the Public Records Office, delivered to him in 1929). He was also decorated by the French and the Belgians. Following the Armistice, he became the Commanding Colonel of the US Third Army Air Service. After the war, Fowler returned to his Stock Exchange interests in New York city. A horseman of some repute, he entered as a Gentleman rider and rode his own horse, Pop Ahead, in the Grand National steeplechase at Aintree in the city of his birth, in 1927. At 40 to 1, he was not given much chance of success by the pundits, who, in the event, proved correct as his horse fell and failed to complete the most exacting course in world steeple chasing. He tried again in the following year, this time with Scotch Eagle, one of forty-two starters, but rated as an outsider at 100 to 1. The 1928 Grand National, run over heavy ground and in a mist, was one of the most eventful in the race’s long and distinguished history. Many horses, including Scotch Eagle, fell at the treacherous Canal Turn, and the race was eventually won by another 100 to 1 shot, Tipperary Tim. As well as a steeplechase riding, Fowler enjoyed big game hunting in Africa and in Alaska. Fowler was a close friend of Fiorello H La Guardia, a famous Mayor of New York city. In fact, Fowler led the political Fusion movement which was largely instrumental in securing the election of La Guardia in 1933, and again in 1937. Fowler himself was the First Deputy Police Commissioner in NYC from 1934 until 1937. In that post he had responsibilities for the city traffic, and during his tenure crusaded successfully for a reduction in traffic accidents, injuries and deaths. He also headed the Honor Board, which was responsible for decorating heroic New York policemen. An active member of the American Legion, he was commander of Air Service Post 501, in 1939 and 1940. In 1941, Fowler crossed the Atlantic to serve as a volunteer personnel officer for American citizens in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Great Britain. In 1942, he was given the honorary rank of Group Captain, RCAF, and served on the Staff of the commander of the RCAF in the UK. Later that same year, he became a US Army Air Force colonel and was appointed to serve on the operational staff of Major General James E Chaney in London. In the following year he was appointed Air Attaché of the US Embassy in London. Returning to his business interests in New York after the war, he lived, in the 1950's, with his wife, Thyrza Benson Flagg Fowler, in his Southampton, Long Island, home during the summer, and at his Palm Beach, Florida, home in the winter months. Colonel Harold Fowler died in a hospital in Palm Beach, Florida, on 17 January 1957, at the age of seventy.' Condition of card is good some foxing and scuffs. It will ship fast and FREE signature required. Contact us any questions we try our best and please follow our store if you seek rare and unique.