Peter Howson was born on May 22, 1919. His father, Major George Howson MC, an engineer, not only survived the Great War but after returning to civilian life founded the British Legion Poppy Factory, which provided employment for many injured ex-servicemen. Peter went to school at Stowe and then to Trinity College, Cambridge. When war broke out in 1939, he tried to join up but, as a science student, was required to continue his studies for at least another year. He joined the Fleet Air Arm in 1940, and was posted to Malta, where he flew the famous Fairey Swordfish,…