Howell was killed in action at Authuille by shrapnel on 7 October 1916, after making a personal reconnaissance of the frontline near Thiepval during the later Somme offensives.
Howell's interests were more extensive than soldiering, and he travelled throughout the Balkan region, becoming a correspondent for The Times and an expert on the local politics of the Near East.
[3] Of military significance was his direct role in the strategic planning of the later conclusive actions of the Somme Offensive; the successful battles of Thiepval Ridge and Ancre Heights.
These used more sophisticated planned attacks using techniques such as synchronised barrages, the use of a limited number of tanks and proper briefing of field commanders.
Between the age of six and ten Howell, and his family, joined his father in India and Kashmir, living in places such as Kohat, Murree, and Dera Ismail Khan.
Howell attended the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, passing out with honours (first in fencing, second in riding), and was commissioned second lieutenant on the unattached list of the Indian Army on 4 August 1897.
The same officer, Major General Llewelyn Alberic Emilius Price-Davies, VC also described him as a fine horseman who could "tent peg or pickup a handkerchief off the ground on a big horse barebacked at the gallop".
Ever loyal, Howell never deflected from his support for Haig in his enterprise during the First World War, whom he perceived to be the best man for the job and infinitely better suited to lead than most of the contemporary generals of the time.
In its obituary of 14 October 1914, The Spectator mentions Howell's correspondence with The Times during the Macedonian Uprising of 1903, in which his letters "brushed" with those of Prime Minister Arthur Balfour on the "balance of criminality", and describes these as "admirably written and illuminating".
On his own initiative he set up a network of "spies" in the local villages extending across to Turkestan and Kashgar, as resembling characters from Rudyard Kipling's contemporary novel,"Kim".
Shortly before this, in 1908, Howell first met his future wife, Rosalind Upcher Buxton, at her family home at Fritton Hall, Lowestoft, Norfolk.
In December 1911, Howell was appointed by Major General William Robertson as a senior instructor at the Staff College, Camberley with the additional title of "Professor of Military Studies".
His observations, which included an early favourable assessment of the capabilities of the Bulgarian Army, were turned into a series of military lectures for the Staff College, and published as a book, "Campaign in Thrace – 1912".
It was during the Curragh Incident of March 1914, propagated by the forthcoming Home Rule Bill and some confusion amongst high command, that Howell's writing skills and diplomatic abilities came to the fore.
The question was posed to officers serving in Ireland (individually) whether they would resign their commissions if asked to march on Ulster – where Carson proposed resisting the Home Rule Bill.
His efforts were further extended by his writing a personal letter to The Times in which he denounced the fact that soldiers had been asked to choose between their own political conscience and their duty to serve, in an impossible ultimatum.
[13] At the outbreak of war with Germany in 1914, the 4th Hussars was mobilized as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) making its way to Dublin for embarkation to France.
The 4th Hussars formed part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Hubert Gough, and quickly became embroiled in the Battle and subsequent Retreat from Mons.
Howell assumed command of the 4th Hussars through the Battle of Le Cateau, until relieved by the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Tom Bridges on 27 September.
In July 1915 the Cavalry Corps was broken up into its former divisional and brigade structure (redistributed as dismounted battalions to support the infantry in the trenches, although in 1916 it was reinstated).
Once this had failed in its early objective of surprise, and the British (more particularly the Anzac and Indian forces) began to count the heavy cost, Howell was amongst the earliest voices calling for withdrawal – but this was largely dissipated amongst those wanting to save face and prolong the campaign.
On leave in London, Howell dined on one occasion with Winston Churchill – an interesting confrontation of minds, as both were of a similar age and had both served with the 4th Hussars, although at different times.
He knew and appreciated from direct experience that Bulgaria had a better equipped and trained army than neighboring forces, especially those of a depleted Serbia or an indiscipline military "rabble" from within a Greece split between a pro-German monarchy and nationalist government loyalists.
Encouraged by higher command to take up an appointment in the region because of his expert knowledge, Howell was wary of a Balkan enterprise, partly that because of a lack of allied initiative, the Bulgarians were persuaded to side with German ambitions.
Later his earlier views on Bulgaria were deliberately taken out of context (and timing), but these "pro-Bulgar" opinions were largely based on finding the best practical solution for this sector of the First War.
Other issues included the logistics of having an ultimate command structure based at GHQ in Alexandria, Egypt, a distance of 1800 miles – rather than the closer Malta.
Eventually the new offensive was launched, and Howell was conveyed to the new front line by a Royal Navy motor torpedo boat to Kavalla.
Earlier in the war, Howell had actively sought to prevent the sending of battalions made up and commanded entirely by "green" conscripts.
A few such men, with that rare combination of zeal with breadth, that absorption in giving rather than getting, that power of keeping the mind fresh and elastic in official harness, would be of infinite value to the nation.
She was also a close friend of many literary and artists of that generation including Nevinson, both Nash brothers, and George Bernard Shaw (whose Fabian meetings she regularly attended.)