Main CPGW Record
Surname: COWGILL
Forename(s): Harold
Place of Birth: Nelson, Lancashire
Service No: 18/1514
Rank: L/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 15th/17th Battalion
Division: 31st Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1918-07-02
Awards: D.C.M., Gallantry Card
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: I. D. 3.
CWGC Cemetery: TERLINCTHUN BRITISH CEMETERY, WIMILLE
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: CROSSHILLS, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: KILDWICK, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SUTTON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Harold Cowgill was the son of William Henry and Lydia Ann Cowgill, née Wright. William was born at Bradford and Lydia at Cross Roads near Keighley, Yorkshire. Harold was the cousin of A/Corporal Ernest Cowgill (2063) (q.v.) and Private Norris Cowgill (20986) (q.v.).
1901 Nelson, Lancashire Census: 19, Bath Street - Harold Cowgill, aged 3 years, born Nelson, son of William H. and Lydia A. Cowgill.
1911 Glusburn, Yorkshire Census: Croft Street - Harold Cowgill, aged 13 years, born Nelson, Lancashire, son of William Henry and Lydia Ann Cowgill.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Harold Cowgill, D.C.M., 18/1514, W. York. R. D. of W. 2.7.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: L/Cpl Harold Cowgill, D.C.M., 18/1514, 18th W. Yks.; 15/17 W. Yks. Died of Wounds 2.7.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: L/Cpl Harold Cowgill, D.C.M., 18/1514, 15/17th Bn W. Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 2.7.18. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Lydia A. £44 9s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Harold. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Lydia Ann Cowgill. Relationship: Mother. Address: 37, Hartley Street, Nelson, Lancs.
Harold was probably transferred to the 15th/17th Bn when the 18th (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (2nd Bradford), known as the 2nd Bradford Pals, was disbanded on the 15 February 1918.
The 15th (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (1st Leeds), informally known as the Leeds Pals, were amalgamated with the 17th (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (2nd Leeds) to form the 15th/17th Battalion on the 7 December 1917.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
COWGILL, Lance Corporal Harold, aged 20, West Yorkshire Regiment, of Hartley Street, died of wounds July 2, 1918.
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L/Corporal Harold COWGILL
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 31st Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Colin Chadwick, Harrogate
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
15 June 1917
GLUSBURN – “FOR CONSPICUOUS BRAVERY”
Residents of Glusburn and district will rejoice to hear that Pte. Harold Cowgill, West Yorkshire Regiment, (Bradford ‘Pals’), son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Cowgill of 37, Hartley Street, Nelson, and formerly of Glusburn, has been awarded the Certificate of Merit for gallantry, during the fierce fighting on May 3rd last. Pte. Cowgill, who has relatives both in Earby and Skipton, is only 19 years of age, and prior to enlistment was employed as a weaver at the firm of Messrs. Bairstow, Sutton Mill. The certificate which he has forwarded to his parents, reads a follows:–
P.W.O. West Yorkshire Regiment.
Certificate of Merit.
18/1514. Pte. H. Cowgill. ‘A’ Company.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on the Oppy-Gavrelle line on 3rd May 1917. He repeatedly went forward through very heavy enemy shellfire, machine gun fire, and persistent fire from snipers, in order to tend and carry in the wounded. He fearlessly continued this work during the whole of the day and the following night, acting throughout regardless of personal danger. Herbert Hy. Carter, Lt. Col., Commanding West Yorkshire Regiment. 25/5/17.
12 July 1918
Lance-Corporal H. Cowgill, Glusburn
We regret to record the death in the 83rd General Hospital at Boulogne on the 2nd inst. of Lance-Corporal Harold Cowgill, West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cowgill, of Nelson, and formerly of Glusburn, and nephew of Mr. and Mrs. T. Cowgill, Primrose Hill, Skipton, aged 20 years. The deceased soldier was wounded in the back and leg, and it was feared his spine was also injured. The body was interred on the 4th at the New Cemetery, Boulogne, and a letter of sympathy has been forwarded to the bereaved parents by the Chaplain.
Lance-Corporal Cowgill was awarded the Certificate of Merit on May 25th 1917. The wording as follows:– “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on the Oppy-Gavrelle line on 3rd May 1917. He repeatedly went forward through very heavy enemy shellfire, machine gun fire, and persistent fire from snipers in order to tend and carry in the wounded. He fearlessly continued this work during the whole of the day, and the following night, acting throughout regardless of personal danger.”
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
22 June 1917
GLUSBURN SOLDIER AWARDED CERTIFICATE OF MERIT
Residents of Glusburn and district will be pleased to hear that Pte. Harold Cowgill, West Yorkshire Regt. (Bradford ‘Pals’), son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Cowgill, of 37, Hartley Street, Nelson, and formerly of Glusburn, has been awarded the Certificate of Merit for gallantry, during the fierce fighting on May 3rd last. Pte. Cowgill, who has relatives both in Earby and Skipton, is only 19 years of age, and prior to enlistment was employed as a weaver at the firm of Messrs. Bairstow, Sutton Mill. The certificate, which he has forwarded to his parents, reads as follows:–
P.W.O. West Yorkshire Regiment. Certificate of Merit.
18/1514. Pte. H. Cowgill, ‘A’ Company.
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on the Oppy-Gayrelle line on 3rd May, 1917. He repeatedly went forward through very heavy enemy shell fire, machine gun fire, and persistent fire from snipers, in order to tend and carry in the wounded. He fearlessly continued this work during the whole of the day and the following night, acting throughout regardless of personal danger.”
Hebert Hy. Carter, Lt.-Col., Commanding West Yorks. Regt. 25/5/17.
12 July 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Glusburn Soldier Killed
News has reached Glusburn that Lance-Corpl. Harold Cowgill has been killed in action. He joined the forces early in the war, living at the time with his parents in Hartley Street, Glusburn. He was connected with the Baptist Sunday-school.
01 November 1918
CRAVEN D.C.M.’s
Settle and Glusburn Heroes Honoured
The award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal for “gallantry and distinguished conduct in the field” is announced officially in the following terms:–
Sgt. G.W. Chapman, W. Rid. R. (Settle).
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a raid. He led his party with great skill and determination, capturing several prisoners, and killing at least six others. He displayed fine courage and leadership, and set a splendid example to his men.
Pte. (Lce. Cpl.) H. Cowgill, W. York. R. (Glusburn, near Keighley).
This N.C.O. displayed great gallantry and initiative during our attack. At one moment an enemy machine-gun was about to fire when with the utmost promptitude he rushed the gun, killing the gunner and scattering the detachment, who were subsequently made prisoners. The advance then progressed. The next day, though very severely wounded by a shell in the chest and legs, he continued to command his section until he became unconscious. His cool courage and fine leadership contributed largely to the rapidity and success of the advance.
LANCE-CORPL. COWGILL is the son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Cowgill, of 37, Hartley Street, Nelson, and formerly of Glusburn. In May of last year he was awarded the Certificate of Merit for gallantry during the fierce fighting on the 3rd of that month. Lance-Corpl. Cowgill, who has relatives in both Earby and Skipton, is only 20 years of age, and prior to enlistment in the ‘Bradford Pals’ (West Yorkshire Regiment) he was employed as a weaver at the firm of Messrs. T. and M. Bairstow, Sutton Mill.
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