Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet

Admiral SIR Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet, K.C.B., D.S.O.*, M.V.O. (11 June, 1871 – 14 February, 1956), also known as "Tich" Cowan, was an officer of the Royal Navy in the First World War.

Great War

On 7 July, 1917, he was appointed Commodore, First Class Commanding the First Light Cruiser Squadron. On 2 September, 1918 he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral.

Post-war Activity

In January 1919 Cowan and his squadron were sent to the Baltic, where the situation was extraordinarily involved. His task, as soon appeared, was to hold the ring for Finland and the Baltic states against the Bolsheviks, while keeping the Germans, still armed, to the terms of the armistice. In this he was ably assisted on shore by Stephen Tallents. His command lasted until the end of 1919 and he left only when the Russians were sealed up in Kronstadt by ice. Six months later he returned for the plebiscite in Danzig and then relinquished his command.

In 1921 Cowan was appointed to command the Battle Cruiser Squadron, consisting only of the Hood and Repulse. The highlight of the period was a visit to Brazil in 1922 during the international exhibition, where they created a great impression, for the battle cruisers had never been smarter or more efficient. On 2 November, 1923 he was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral after which he held the Scottish command (1925–6). Before this was over he accepted with alacrity the America and West Indies command (1926–8). It was a peacetime cruise, with his flag first in the Calcutta, then in the Despatch, but it concluded with a characteristic success, the salving of the Dauntless which had grounded in the entrance to Halifax harbour. Cowan was promoted Admiral in 1 August, 1927, appointed First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King in 1930, and retired from the Active list in 1931.

Retirement and WWII

Cowan then became assistant secretary to the Warwickshire hounds; but on the outbreak of war in 1939 it was more than he could bear not to be involved. Eventually he was allowed to serve in the rank of Commander and was appointed to the commandos under his old friend and chief, Roger Keyes. In due course he found himself in Egypt and served with the commandos in their various activities in north Africa. Finally, when his unit was disbanded, he attached himself to the 18th King Edward VII's Own cavalry, an Indian regiment. He served with them in all their operations in the western desert until he was taken prisoner on 27 May, 1942 at Bir Hakeim. He had been overtaken by the German advance and was fired at by soldiers from an armoured car. After having shot one of them with his revolver and then run out of bullets, he surrendered. He was repatriated in 1943 and, reappointed to the commandos, headed for Italy, where he took part in many operations against the Dalmatian Islands. For these services in 1944 he was awarded a bar to the D.S.O. which he had won in 1898. By this time he was seventy-three and beginning to feel the strain. He returned to England, where an inspection of a Royal Marine commando about to go overseas was his last service. In 1945 he reverted to the Retired List. One more distinction, a very welcome one, was his: on 22 November, 1946 he was appointed Honorary Colonel, the 18th King Edward VII's Own cavalry, whom he visited in India in 1947. He retired once more to Kineton, and died in Warneford Hospital, Leamington Spa, on 14 February, 1956. In spite of his unequalled record of active service he had never even been wounded. He was appointed M.V.O. in 1904, C.B. in 1916, K.C.B. in 1919, and created a baronet in 1921.

Wealth at death; £33,604 13s. 5d.: Probate; 1 June, 1956.

Commands

• H.M.S. Sultan
• H.M.S. Falcon
• H.M.S. Gloucester
• H.M.S. Zealandia
• H.M.S. Princess Royal

Bibliography

• "Admiral Sir W. Cowan" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 15 February, 1956. Issue 53455, col 11, pg. A.
• "Adml. Sir Walter Cowan" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 5 March, 1956. Issue 53471, col C, pg. 13.
• Dawson, Lionel George (1949). Sound of the Guns: Being an Account of the Wars and Service of Admiral Sir Walter Cowan. Oxford: Pen-in-Hand.

Papers

• Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.
• Autobiography entitled The Wheel of Fortune in the possession of the National Maritime Museum. COW/17/4.

Service Record

• The National Archives. ADM 196/43.

Naval Offices
Preceded by Sir Roger J. B. Keyes, Bart.	Rear-Admiral Commanding, Battle Cruiser Squadron 1921 – 1923	Succeeded by Sir Frederick L. Field
Preceded by Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt	Commanding Officer, Coast of Scotland and Admiral Superintendent of Rosyth Dockyard 1925 – 1926	Succeeded by Humphrey W. Bowring