Notes
Roy Archibald Gowing was born in Leicester on 29 November 1924, the son of Alice (née Freeman) and Clifford Gowing, a clicker in the shoe trade. He was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester.
Roy Gowing entered Worcester College on 30 April 1943, as a cadet with the Royal Navy, and took a short course in English Literature and English Language. Following the completion of the course he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the 29 November 1944, and was posted to HM Motor Torpedo Boat 776.
HM Motor Torpedo Boat 776 was in the harbour at Ostend in Belgium on 14 February 1945 when it was destroyed by an explosion and ensuing fire. Sub Lieutenant Roy Gowing and another crew member were killed in the incident.
Roy Gowing is buried at Oostende New Communal Cemetery, and comemorated on the war memorials at Wyggeston Grammar School and Worcester College, Oxford.