Cecil Hunter Boyd Gowan
Cecil Hunter Boyd Gowan (1884 – 1941) served in the Royal Navy.
Family Origins
Gowan was born in Courtfield Gardens, Kensington the third of three sons of Dr. Bowie Campbell Gowan (1848-1935) and the former Leila Davidson (1854-1937), who was the daughter of Confederate Naval officer, Commander Hunter Davidson (1826-1913). His elder brothers were Sir Hyde Clarendon Gowan (1878-1938), who served as Governor of the Central Provinces in India, and George d'Olier Gowan (1880-1936), an engineer. Gowan lived in London until joining the Royal Navy.
Life & Career
Gowan gained three and a half months' time on passing out of Britannia in mid-September, 1900. His first naval appointment was to the first class protected cruiser Terrible, on the China Station. He distinguished himself early in devising plans to turn a sunken dredger in Hong Kong harbour in 1901.[1]
On 11 July, 1902, Gowan was admitted to Plymouth Hospital to be treated for a hernia. He regained fitness on 23 October, 1902. On 1 November, 1902, he was appointed to the Renown in the Mediterranean. On 19 January, 1904, he joined the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. On 4 April, 1904, Gowan was given the only ship command he would ever obtain, that of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 58. In November, 1904, Gowan was thanked by the Admiralty for his ingenuity in inventing an electrical device for "ascertaining atmospheric conditions at a distance."[2] Gowan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 30 November.[3]
On 19 May 1906, Gowan was appointed to Excellent to qualify in gunnery. In April, 1907, he emerged qualified as Lieutenant (G) with 1715 marks.[4]
Gowan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander with a seniority of 30 November, 1912[5] and appointed to the destroyer Exmouth as her gunnery officer on 17 December, though his rank there was for a time listed as Lieutenant (G).[6]
He was appointed as Lieutenant-Commander (G) of the light cruiser Yarmouth on 2 August, 1913. This appointment proved very long.
Gowan was promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1917,[7] and was superseded as gunnery officer in Yarmouth only on 2 February, 1918. He was appointed to H.M.S. Repulse as Flag Commander to Admiral Commanding, Aircraft Phillimore in March, 1918.[8]
Post-War
Gowan left Repulse on 20 June 1919.[9]
He was appointed to President on 1 May, 1920 – perhaps working with Beatty's former Flag Lieutenant, Ralph F. Seymour in the Tactical Section.[10]
On 1 December, 1920 he was appointed Commander of the light cruiser Dartmouth, under Captain Guy P. Bigg-Wither.[11]
On 15 April, 1921 Gowan was appointed Commander of the light cruiser Southampton, under Captain Lawrence W. Braithwaite.[12]
Gowan was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 21 June, 1922 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Captain on the Retired List in November, 1929.[13]
See Also
| Naval Appointments | ||
| Preceded by Astley D. C. Cooper-Key |
Captain of H.M. T.B. 58 4 Apr, 1905[14] |
Succeeded by Walter H. Leeke |
Footnotes
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 118.
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 40.
- ↑ The Navy List. (March, 1913). p. 311.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 75a.
- ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 796.
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1920). p. 831.
- ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1921). p. 757.
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ Gowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/133. f. 72.
- ↑ The Monthly Navy List. (December, 1905). p. 399.
