Howard was the illegitimate son and only child of Jane Swallow (s3370). He was born in the Union Workhouse in Bishops Stortford on the 4th August 1901. The 1901 census shows Jane was employed at the Workhouse as a Domestic Servant and was likely still employed there in 1911 although her residence is then given as being in Ware. By this time Howard was living with his grandparents (s1421) in Little Hadham.

There is speculation as to the father of Howard but the true identity is likely never known. Does his middle two names point to his father - Walter Johnson?

He married a local girl, Margaret Price, from Little Hadham in 1926 and between them they produced five offspring - all girls. The last, Margaret, being born just after the War with a gap of ten years to her previous sibling. Walter and Margaret are picture together below.

In January 1971 the pair set sail on the SS Orcades to Australia to visit one of their daughters who had emigrated there. Sadly they did not make their destination as Howard is believed to have suffered a heart attack causing him to fall overboard and drown.