Captain John Shaw Howkins was a chartered accountant, member of the Regiment and cousin of Lt Col Howkins. He worked for the British Transport Commission.

On the outbreak of the Second World War he went to Sandhurst as part of the 162nd, 164th, 165th and 166th Sandhurst Officer Cadet Training Units and was comissioned into the KRRC on 25 May 1940.

He was initiated in 1961, becoming worshipful Master in 1968 before becoming Treasurer from 1972 to 1985, perhaps unsurprisingly given his profession doing ” a truly professional job”. He was given London Grand Rank in 1980. He was made an Honorary Member in 1989.