War Service Recognition Booklet 2 Congratulations to The Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland & Labrador Command Management and Staff of Muirs Marble Works Ltd. Contractor for Veterans Memorials 162 YEARS SERVING NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR In October of 1942, the HMS Avenger left Scotland to take part in Operation ‘Torch’ – the invasion of North Africa. She was accompanied by her sister ship, the HMS BITER and the fleet carrier the HMS VICTORIOUS. On November 15 th , the AVENGER was hit by a torpedo from a German U-Boat. The AVENGER blew up with a tremendous flash and roar and went down with almost all hands. Thirty-two Newfoundlanders were serving on the Avenger that day and thirty-one lost their lives. This represented the largest casualty list of Newfoundlanders in the Royal Navy in both World Wars. Included on the list of casualties that bitter cold November morning, was a native son of the Goulds – Jx195242 Seaman Robert Edward Howlett. Robert Edward Howlett was born at Forest Pond, Goulds on November 28, 1914 – the seventh and last child of Edward (Ned) and Lucy (Pridham) Howlett. He was orphaned before age two and lived with relatives. He attended St. Kevins School and worked on various farms in the Goulds and Kilbride. On April 22, 1940, he enlisted in the 6th Naval Contingent of the Royal Navy and began his service on the HMS PEMBROOKE. In the fall of 1942, he became ill and was hospitalized in the United Kingdom. Upon his recovery, he was assigned to the aircraft carrier HMS AVENGER and was the only resident of the Goulds to give the supreme sacrifice during World War II. During a May 1990 interview with James J. Howlett (brother of Robert), he stated, “…the thing I remember most about World War II is that very sad day when Fr. Rawlins (Rev. Edward J. Rawlins, P.P. Petty Harbour) came to my house to break the news that my brother, Bob, was killed in action off the coast of Gibraltar…. He was so young; he was a fine person and a good brother…. He was going to be married when he returned from the war….” To honour his memory, and because “he laid down his life in defense of the Empire,” Robert Edward Howlett was awarded posthumously the Silver Cross and other medals. His grave is the ocean, but a gray granite monument and Union Jack flag mark an empty grave in the Howlett’s family plot in St. Kevins Cemetery, Goulds. On Remembrance Day (Nov. 11, 2002), the former Goulds Bypass Road was renamed the Robert E. Howlett Memorial Drive to honour this native son who gave his life for his country and community. Goulds Sailor Gave Ultimate Sacrifice During Battle of North Atlantic By Eddy Howlett Seaman Robert Edward Howlett 162
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