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Henry Douglas COWMAN

Main CPGW Record

Surname: COWMAN

Forename(s): Henry Douglas

Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire

Service No: 10954

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 8th (Service) Battalion

Division: 11th (Northern) Division

Age: 22

Date of Death: 1917-09-07

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: VII. F. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: MENDINGHEM MILITARY CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON – ERMYSTED’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Henry Douglas Cowman (born 5 September 1895) was the son of Walter Henry and Caroline Annie Cowman, née Harrison. Walter was born at Skipton, Yorkshire and Caroline at Dalton-le-Dale, Co. Durham.

1901 Gateshead, Co. Durham Census: 101, Saltwell Road - Hy. Douglass Cowman, aged 5 years, born Skipton, Yorkshire, son of Walt. Hy. and Caroline Ann Cowman.

1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 10, Salisbury Street - Henry Douglas Cowman, aged 15 years, born Skipton. [Henry and his sister Catherine Annie were living with their aunt, Elizabeth Annie Mitchell.]

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Henry D. Cowman, 10954, W. Rid. R. Theatre of War first served in: 2B - Balkans. Date of entry therein: 12.7.15. Died 7.9.17.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Henry Douglas Cowman, 3/10954, 8th W. Rid. R. D. of W. 7.9.17.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Henry Douglas Cowman, 10954, 8 W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 7.9.17. 64 C.C.S. France or Belgm. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Sister and Sole Legatee - Katherine A. £24 2s. 3d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) for Henry not found.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 exists for his sister, Katherine Annie Cowman, who served as a Voluntary Aid Detachment Nurse at Huddersfield War Hospital and in France. Catherine [sic] Annie married Frank Cecil Pine in 1926.

A short biography of Henry is included in: ‘A Grammar School at War – The Story of Ermysted’s Grammar School during the Great War’ by Steven Howarth (2007).

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

COWMAN, Henry Douglas, aged 22, West Riding Regiment, grandson of the late Mr. Hy. Cowman, of Skipton, died of wounds Sept. 7, 1917.

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Private Henry Douglas COWMAN

Private Henry Douglas COWMAN

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 11th (Northern) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: COWMAN

Forename(s): Henry Douglas

Born: Skipton, Yorks

Residence: Leeds

Enlisted: Skipton

Number: 10954

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 8th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 07/09/17

Died How: Died of wounds

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: COWMAN

Forename(s): Henry Douglas

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 10954

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: 8th Bn.

Age: 22

Awards:

Died Date: 07/09/1917

Additional Information: Son of Walter Henry and Caroline A. Cowman, of Skipton-in-Craven, Yorks. (CWGC Headstone Personal Inscription: R.I.P.)

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England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995

1918

COWMAN Henry of Methley-drive Chapel Allerton Leeds private 8th battalion West Riding regiment died 7 September 1917 in France Administration (with Will) London 25 July to Katherine Annie Cowman spinster. Effects 145 4s. 8d.

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View Craven Herald Articles

View Craven Herald Articles

Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

15 October 1915

A SKIPTON ODDFELLOW AT ALEXANDRIA

Lance-Corporal W. G. Cole, of the 8th Duke of Wellington’s, attached to the 11th Divisional Base Details, at Alexandria, gives some interesting glimpses of life in the Near East, in a letter which he writes to a Skipton friend, under date September 20th. Lance-Corporal Cole is well-known in Skipton, he having being prominently connected with Oddfellowship in the district. He writes:– “I can hardly imagine how the sum of £56 was realised at the Patriotic Concert at the Town Hall. Skipton people can rally round when they like. We heard yesterday that a big move had been made in France, but we get little news here. There seems to be a lot of Turks here in Alexandria, and as I stroll round the squares at night, I see them sitting round the tables, drinking their coffee and smoking their opium pipes. A deal of these seem to be Turkish merchants, so perhaps it would not do to publish all the news here.

“The 32nd Brigade caught it heavy in the new landing at the Dardanelles – in fact the whole of the 11th Division did. But I think no brigade lost more heavily than the 32nd, or Yorkshire Brigade. I don’t think that the 6th Yorkshires had one officer left, and the 8th West Ridings were nearly as badly hit. Frank Counter is reported missing, and so is young Brockbank and a few others. I have questioned many who have passed through here after being in hospital, but I can get nothing definite about Frank. It seems his Battalion had to retire, which puts a bad aspect on his being alive, but since then I have heard that his company commander, who was also reported missing, has been reported a prisoner. Frank may easily he with him.

“I think the forcing of the Dardanelles is only a matter of time, though up to the present it has proved a very hard nut to crack. There are a deal of Australians and New Zealanders here. They are a fine lot of fellows, and are a credit to their country. They say that Sidney is a more English town than London. That reminds me of one thing which will have to be looked into when the war is over – we don’t want large areas in our towns taken up by foreign element. Foreigners, spread about, can do little harm, but when one finds a whole district composed of them, it reminds one of a sore for which the safest cure is the knife – with which to cut it out.

“The Australians cause a little envy among our chaps, as they get higher pay than the English Tommy. They say that Australia is the finest country in the world. Lots of Australians will go back home with a good idea of irrigation, for if it were not for the irrigation canals, the country would be almost barren. I get the ‘Craven Herald’ every week, and last week I was able to hand the copy over to a chap called Metcalfe, from Skipton. We have had a Skipton chap here of the name of Cowman, but he has gone back now. I have had capital health lately, for the weather is getting cooler. I should very much like to get to the Pyramids at Cairo, but I don’t think I shall get a chance of doing so. Food is very dear here; I paid two piastres – that is 5d. – for a glass less than a pint. Spirits and wine are very cheap. The dates are ripe, and present a pleasing sight.

“The natives are very primitive in their sanitation, and Alexandria is like East meeting West. The railways are quite English, and the tramway service excellent.”

14 September 1917

COWMAN – Died of wounds received in action, Henry Douglas Cowman (Private, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment), aged 22 years, grandson of the late Henry Cowman, of Skipton.

21 September 1917

CRAVEN AND THE WAR – THE LATE PTE. COWMAN

Above is a portrait of Private Henry Douglas Cowman, of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. He died of wounds in a casualty clearing station in France on September 7th. He enlisted the in week after the outbreak of war in Kitchener’s Army. He was wounded by a sniper in Gallipoli and sent to hospital in Port Said. He was one of the few left of his regiment to take part in the evacuation of the Dardanelles. He was in action in Egypt and landed in France from Egypt on July 4th. He was an old boy of the Skipton Grammar School and a grandson of the late Mr Henry Cowman, income-tax collector, Skipton.

05 September 1919

COWMAN – In proud and loving memory of Henry Douglas Cowman, 8th Duke of Wellington’s Regiment., died of wounds received in action, September 7th, 1917, at Proven, Poperinge, Ypres.

From his affectionate Sister, 30th General Hospital, B.A. in France.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

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14 September 1917

COWMAN – Sept, 7th, died of wounds received in action, Henry Douglas Cowman (private, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment), aged 22, grandson of the late Henry Cowman, of Skipton.

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