Jowitt was born in Failsworth, Lancashire in1911. After briefly working as a clerk, he joined the RAF in January 1928 to be an aircraft apprentice at Halton.
In December 1931 Jowitt passed out as a fitter airframes/engines and from January 1932 to March 1934 he served with No 20 (Army Co-operation) Squadron in India. The squadron was involved in policing the North-West Frontier. He received the Mohmand Clasp to the India General Service Medal.
Back in the UK, Jowitt applied for pilot training and was accepted. He passed out as a Sergeant-Pilot on 20 August 1938 and was posted to No 85 Squadron.
The squadron flew to France six days after war was declared. “Joey” Jowitt was one of several pilots who took off to intercept He 111s attacking the airfield at Lille-Seclin on 19 May 1940. At 7,000 feet he attacked a bomber which had broken away from its formation. It caught fire and he followed it down to see it crash and explode in the fork of a railway junction.
The squadron was withdrawn to Northolt on 20 May and moved to Debden. On 12 July, Sergeant Jowitt was shot down flying in defence of Convoy Booty and crashed into the sea off Felixstowe.
One reason why he was remembered so fondly on the squadron was for an act, with Flying Officer “Woody” Woods-Scawen, in which the pair portrayed the presentation of medals by a French General, involving much kissing. Woods-Scawen would be killed on 1 September leading 85 into action.
Jowitt is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 16. He received a Mention in Despatches on 1 January 1941.
