William Wilson Cowan (1892 - 1917)

Born 20 Oct 1892 in Jed Cottage, Manse Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Ancestors

Died 14 Apr 1917 at age 24 in St Quentin, Hauts-de-France, France

Biography

William Cowan was born in Scotland.

This profile is part of the Cowan Name Study.

2nd Lieutenant William Cowan served in the British Army in World War I
Service started:
Unit(s): 8th Battalion Royal Scots attached to Royal Flying Corps
Service ended:

Lieutenant William Cowan was Killed in Action on a night bombing raid near St Quentin 14 Apr 1917 during World War I.

William Wilson Cowan was born on 20 October 1892 in Jed Cottage, Manse Road, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, Midlothian the son of James Cowan and Joan Wilson^[1].

By 1901 William was 8 years old and residing with his parents and siblings in Corstorphine, Midlothian^[2]. The family remained in Corstorphine over the next 10 years^[3].

William enlisted in the 8th Battalion Royal Scots and was attached to the Royal Flying Corps. By 21 September 1916 he had achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, which is the rank given when William received his Aviator's Certificate, he qualified on a Beattie-Wright Biplane at Beatty School, Hendon^[4].

William died during a night bombing raid near St Quentin, France on 14 April 1917^[5][6] and was buried in Plot: I. C. 3. at Cayeux Military Cemetery, Cayeux-en-Santerre, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France^[7][8]. These words appear on the memorial:

"Son of James Edward and Joan Gibb Wilson Cowan, of 'Eastfield,' Clermiston Rd., Corstorphine, Edinburgh."

Sources

1. ↑ "Statutory Register of Births," database
   National Records of Scotland
   (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 7 November 2023)
   William Wilson Cowan birth registered 1892 in Corstorphine, mother's maiden name Wilson
   citing Ref 678/47.
2. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1901," database
   National Records of Scotland
   (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 7 November 2023)
   William W Cowan (8) in Corstorphine registration district in Midlothian, Scotland
   citing Ref 678/ 3/ 1.
3. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1911," database
   National Records of Scotland
   (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 7 November 2023)
   William W Cowan (19) in Corstorphine registration district in Midlothian, Scotland
   citing Ref 678/ 1/ 9.
4. ↑ "Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators’ Certificates, 1910-1950," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry uk Record 1283 #11513 : accessed 7 November 2023)
   Name William Wilson Cowan, Birth Date 20 Oct 1892, Birth Location Corstorphine
   citing Original data Royal Aero Club. Royal Aero Club index cards and photographs are in the care of the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, London, England.
5. ↑ "UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919," database
   (Ancestry uk Record 1543 #1033505 : accessed 7 November 2023)
   Name William Wilson Cowan, Death Date 14 Apr 1917, Rank Lieutenant, Battalion 8th Battalion (Territorial), Type of Casualty Killed in action, Comments And R F
   citing Original data British and Irish Military Databases. The Naval and Military Press Ltd.
6. ↑ "UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry uk Record 60506 #187925 : accessed 7 November 2023)
   Name W W Cowan, Gender Male, Death Date 14 Apr 1917, Rank 2nd Lieutenant, Regiment 8 R Scots & RFC
   citing National Army Museum, Chelsea, London, England, Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60, NAM Accession Number 1991-02-333, Record Number Ranges 27601-28600, Reference 14.
7. ↑ "Commonwealth War Graves Commission," database with images
   (Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record : accessed 7 November 2023)
   Memorial page for William Wilson Cowan. Rank: Lieutenant; Died: 14 April 1917; Age: 24.
   Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Flying Corps (United Kingdom); Additional Info: Son of James Edward and Joan Gibb Wilson Cowan, of "Eastfield," Clermiston Rd., Corstorphine, Edinburgh
   citing Cayeux Military Cemetery, Somme, France. (Plot: I. C. 3).
8. ↑ "Find a Grave," database
   (Find A Grave: Memorial #23801879 : accessed 7 November 2023)
   Memorial page for Lieutenant William Wilson Cowan (unknown-14 Apr 1917), citing Cayeux Military Cemetery, Cayeux-en-Santerre, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France (plot: I. C. 3.); Maintained by Remembering Our Fallen (contributor 50725801).
   "UNTIL THE DAY DAWNS".