| Regimental number | 2445 |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Bricklayer |
| Address | Boyle Street, Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 21 |
| Next of kin | Mother, Mrs Martha Howell, Boyle Street, Enfield, Sydney, New South Wales |
| Enlistment date | |
| Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 1st Battalion, 7th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/18/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A67 Orsova on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Lance Corporal |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Battalion |
| Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Courage and devotion to duty while leading rifle bombing section. Recommendation date: |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Plaque in Western Australia Garden of Remembrance |
| Medals |
Victoria Cross 'For most conspicuous bravery. Seeing a party of the enemy were likely to outflank his battalion, Corporal Howell, on his own initiative, single handed and exposed to heavy bomb and rifle fire, climbed on to the top of the parapet, and proceeded to bomb the enemy, pressing them back along the trench.Having exhausted his stock of bombs, he continued to attack the enemy with his bayonet. He was then severely wounded. The prompt action and gallant conduct of this non-commissioned officer, in the face of superior numbers, was witnessed by the whole battalion, and greatly inspired them in the subsequent counter attack.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174 Date: Military Medal 'At DEMICOURT on 9th April 1917 for courage and devotion to duty displayed while leading his rifle bombing section in the operation against the German position. On several occasions when held up by machine gun fire he overcame the opposition by sound offensive tactics and good use of his weapons, and continued to advance. He, with his section, was in the lead throughout, and was of great assistance to his Company in the capture of its objectives.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 174 Date: |
| Family/military connections | Father: 2666 Pte Frank Howell, 54th Bn, returned to Australia, 27 August 1917; Brothers: 1860 Pte Frederick Francis HOWELL, 1st Pioneer Bn, returned to Australia, 12 June 1919; 116 Pte Valentine John HOWELL, 18th Bn, killed in action, 31 May 1918. |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Victoria Cross, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Date of death |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
