Shipmates of RNA – Norwich Branch joined family and friends of S/M Jim Bowles at St Faiths Crematorium at 1400 this afternoon, to say farewell and celebrate the life of a remarkable man.
Cmdr. Ilkka Erik James Bowles O.B.E. R.N.(Retd) died aged 91 on 1st July 2017. Jim was the widower of Berice, with whom he celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2016, and is survived by his two daughters and five grandchildren. He left the CNS school to join the Royal Navy in 1941 as an apprentice at the age of 15, was commissioned in 1951 and served in total for 37 years in the Fleet Air Arm, being awarded an OBE. in 1979 for services to Naval Aviation. He then returned to Norwich, retrained as a teacher and worked as a lecturer in Norwich City College until retiring in 1989. He was a founding member of the Royal Naval Association in Norwich and their President for 30 years.
Shipmate Jim Bowles OBE
Life Member
Served: 1941 – 1979
Commander (E) O.B.E.
Served on HMS Peewit – HMS Fieldfare – HMS Gannet – HMS Pintail – HMS Waxwing – HMS Daedalus – HMS Holmsound – HMS Kestrel – HMS Gosliun – HMS Condor – HMS Siskin – HMS Fulmar – HMS Illustrious HMS Victory – HMS Hawke – RN College, Greenwich – RN Eng. College, Keyham – HMS Superb – HMS Sanderling – Cranfield University – HMS Heron – HMS Albion – Naval Air Dept. – RN Repair Yard, Belfast – HMS Fulmar – Ministry of Technology – HMS Seahawk – Ministry of Defence
