Walter Harris Rowell enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 6 April 1936, in Coalville, Leicestershire aged 21. Prior to that he had worked in the coal mines from the age of 14. He served in India from 1937 to 1939. He then went on to serve in MELF and Western Desert from 1939 to 1943. He fought at Arnhem in 1944 and was stationed in Norway in 1945. Finally, he was demobbed in March 1946.

Walter was born in Swannington, Leicestershire in 1915. He grew up within a large family in the village and attended the local school until the age of 14, when he followed the other male family members to work at the local colliery. Starting as a pit pony boy, he eventually progressed to become a fully trained collier. However, after a disagreement with in the pit supervisor, Walter decided to join the army and so he became a soldier with The Royal Artillery on 6 April 1936 - registering in Coalville, Leicestershire aged 21.  

He served in India from 1937 to 1939 and became a NCO ( Bombardier). When War broke out, he joined the MEEF in the Western Desert from 1939 to 1943, serving at El Alamein.

He trained at RAF Ringway on Parachute Jump Instruction Course 126. This course ran between 23 July to 5 August 1944. His instructor noted that Walter was “V. Good. Good leader, confident and consistent jumper.” This course report noted that Walter  was now a member of “FOU, RA, 1^st Airborne Division”. He was stationed with The RA at Chiseldon Camp in Swindon as part of the 1 Forward Operation Unit.

After the battle at Arnhem, Walter managed to escape over the Rhine to Allied lines.

His last operation of WWII, was when stationed in Norway as part of its liberation in 1945. Finally, he was demobbed in March 1946. He had considered staying in the army and was offered a posting to Rhodesia. However, during his time at Chiseldon Camp, he had met Marjorie Hoskins and they married within 6 months. They had a long and happy marriage and Walter settled in Swindon with his new wife, he became a plasterer and he and Marjorie had three children. 

On 21 October 1992, Walter passed away from a chest infection, only six months after his wife. He had cared for her through a number of health issues for some years. After she passed, he missed her greatly and felt he no longer had purpose.

In addition to the medals shown in his profile, Walter was awarded the Indian General Service Medal 1936-1939 with a North West Frontier Clasp.

Profile submitted by Jane Rowell (daughter)