The name of a Bromley soldier forgotten from the history books has now been inscribed on a war memorial to be remembered for all time.
Private William Kitchener Howell was just 27 when he died exactly 72 years ago on Friday (September 4).
His relatives discovered his name had been left off Bromley’s war memorial in Martin’s Hill, and asked if he could be included.
In a service on Friday (September 4) the solder’s relatives from as far away as Australia travelled to the monument to pay their respects.
Including Private Howell, there are now 477 named from the First and Second World War on the memorial.
Private William Kitchener Howell.
Private ‘Bill’ Howell joined the Queen’s Royal West Kent Regiment before later volunteering 1st SAS regiment in May 1943, then known as the Special Raiding Squadron, from the 4th Battalion Royal West Kents.
Private Howell, who had seen action in El Alamein, was fatally injured in Bagnara, southern Italy, when a mortar landed in the middle of his section.
He died on the second day of Operation Baytown, and just four days before Italy’s surrender was formally announced.
In a letter written by Sergeant-Major Graham Rose to William’s parents, John and Eve Howell, Sergeant-Major wrote: "Always smiling, always ready to help anyone at any time, he leaves a gap in the ranks that can never be filled."
Prior to his death the young soldier, along with his brother Henry, were keen amateur boxers at Downham Community Boxing Club.
His older brother, now 96, emigrated to Australia but was represented at the ceremony by his son, David Howell.
John Henry and Geoff Neal SAS Regimental Association with Ben Howell, 11.
Arthur Cook, Private Howell’s nephew said: "The family never recovered from the death of my uncle, William Kitchener Howell.
"The day is still etched in my mind. I am pleased that Bromley Council have added Uncle Bill’s name to the Bromley war memorial which was somehow omitted among the grief at the time.
"In this way, Uncle Bill’s smiling face and his memory lives on long after we have all faded."
Also present at the unveiling were members of the Downham Community Boxing Club, which was part of the Bromley and Downham Boys' Club is now the Bromley and Downham Youth Club.
Representatives of Bromley Town Friends of Parks group also attended.
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