'Operations Somme - 20th September/4th October 1916. Recommended for devotion to duty in the attack on Goose Alley and Grid Trench (Somme) 25th and 27th September 1916. On the latter date, 2nd Lieutenant Howden, when his Company had suffered very severe casualties, gathered together three or four men - all there were in the vicinty, and went on through heavy M.G and artillery fire towards enemy wire, where he was unfortunately killed. A promoted NCO, he had the faculty for commanding men and by his personality, and cheerful spirit under adverse conditions, had endeared himself not only to his men, but to the other Officers of the Unit.'
Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', 1 June 1917.

Regimental number	8/1263
Place of birth	Scotland
Address	Mary Street, Invercargill
Marital status	Single
Next of kin	Father, I H Howden, Mary Street, Invercargill
Rank on embarkation	Private
Enlistment status	Volunteer
Unit name	New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 2nd Reinforcements, Otago Infantry Battalion
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Wellington on board Willochra on 14 December 1914
Final rank	2nd Lieutenant
Final unit	1st Battalion, Otago Infantry Regiment
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)	Mention in Despatches 'Operations Somme - 20th September/4th October 1916. Recommended for devotion to duty in the attack on Goose Alley and Grid Trench (Somme) 25th and 27th September 1916. On the latter date, 2nd Lieutenant Howden, when his Company had suffered very severe casualties, gathered together three or four men - all there were in the vicinty, and went on through heavy M.G and artillery fire towards enemy wire, where he was unfortunately killed. A promoted NCO, he had the faculty for commanding men and by his personality, and cheerful spirit under adverse conditions, had endeared himself not only to his men, but to the other Officers of the Unit.' Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', 1 June 1917.
Fate	Killed in Action 30 September 1916
Age at death from cemetery records	28
Place of burial	No known grave
Commemoration details	Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial, Longueval, France
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: James and Janet Howden, 286 Ettrick Street, Invercargill
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous details	Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Otago Infantry Batln/Second