Difference between revisions of "Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet"

From The Dreadnought Project
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Bibliography)
(Update appts)
 
(138 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
−
{{AdmRN}} {{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]].
+
[[File:Cowan, NPG x65764.jpg|thumb|right|350px|Admiral Sir Walter H. Cowan, Bart., 1919.<br><small>© National Portrait Gallery, London.</small>]]
  
−
==Early Life and Career==
+
{{AdmRN}} {{SIR}} '''Walter Henry Cowan, First Baronet''', {{Post-Nominals|country=GBR-cats|K.C.B.m|D.S.O.1|M.V.O.4}}, R.N. (11 June, 1871 &ndash; 14 February, 1956), also known as "Tich" Cowan, was an officer of the [[Royal Navy]] in the [[First World War]].
−
Cowan was born on 11 June, 1871 at Crickhowell, Brecknockshire, the eldest son of Walter Frederick James Cowan who settled after retirement from the Royal Welch Fusiliers with the rank of Major at Alveston, Warwickshire.  His mother was Frances Anne, daughter of Henry John Lucas, physician, of Crickhowell.  Although he had never been to school, Cowan passed into the navy in 1884, in the same term as [[David Beatty]], with whom, two years later, he joined the ''Alexandra'', flagship in the Mediterranean of the [[Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha|Duke of Edinburgh]]. Invalided after less than a year, he returned home, but eventually rejoined the ''Alexandra''. She came home in 1889, and Cowan was appointed to the ''Volage'' in the training squadron where he was promoted Sub-Lieutenant in 1890. Appointed to the ''Boadicea'', flagship on the East India station, he took passage in the ''Plassy'', a gunboat which was being delivered to the [[Royal Indian Marine]].  The ''Plassy'' took four months to reach Bombay, being nearly lost in a Bay of Biscay storm.  Promoted Lieutenant in 1892, Cowan was appointed [[First Lieutenant]] of the gunboat ''Redbreast'' whence, after about a year, he was invalided again, this time with dysentery.  On recovery, he applied for the west coast of Africa, then a very unhealthy station but with the attraction for Cowan that it offered a better chance of active service in one or other of the many punitive expeditions.
+
  
−
Cowan was appointed in 1894 to the small cruiser ''Barrosa'', in which he was to serve for three and a half years.  He assisted in refloating the French gunboat ''Ardent'' which had grounded 170 miles up the Niger River and soon afterwards was landed with the punitive expedition against Nimbi.  After three months at the Cape the ''Barrosa'' was due for a turn of duty on the east coast where Cowan at once came in for the Mwele expedition, followed by a number of smaller expeditions from individual ships. The ''Barrosa's'' next visit to the west coast was just in time for the [[Benin Expedition of 1897|Benin expedition of 1897]] in which Cowan had control of the carriers.  For the third time he was awarded the general Africa medal, this time with the Benin clasp.
+
==Early Life & Career==
 +
On 28 January, 1892, Cowan was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, dated 14 July, 1890.{{Gaz|26253|544|2 February, 1892}}
  
−
Cowan's next appointment was to the ''Boxer'', destroyer in the Mediterranean, which he commanded for a bare six months before being transferred to Nile service, in which he commanded the river gunboat ''Sultan''.  In her he took part in the battle of Omdurman (1898), after which all the gunboats were ordered to Fashoda, where a French force under Marchand had arrived via central Africa.  The task of dealing with the French devolved almost completely upon Cowan who had the satisfaction of seeing them depart for home via Abyssinia. Cowan was left in command of all the gunboats, all the other naval officers returning to England.  He had over a year more in Egypt and was aide-de-camp to Sir Reginald Wingate in the pursuit of the Khalifa in 1899.
+
Cowan was promoted to the rank of {{LieutRN}} with seniority of 13 November, 1893.{{Gaz|26359|2|2 January, 1893}}
  
−
When Lord Kitchener left for South Africa, Cowan gained his permission to accompany him.  His status was afterwards regularized by his appointment as Kitchener's aide-de-camp and the whole of 1900 was spent in the field. He returned to England with Lord Roberts, to whose staff he had just transferred, to be greeted coldly at the [[Admiralty]] for having gone to South Africa without Their Lordships' permission and for having been over two years away from sea service.  Yet he was appointed to the battleship [[HMS Prince George (1895)|''Prince George'']] as First Lieutenant and, in June 1901, promoted Commander at the age of thirty, with only eight and a half years' service as Lieutenant.  Cowan married in that year Catherine Eleanor Millicent (d. 1934), daughter of Digby Cayley, of Brompton by Sawdon, Yorkshire; they had one daughter.
+
Cowan was appointed in command of the {{UK-Boxer|f=t}} on 20 January, 1898.<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 24 January, 1898.  Issue '''35421''', col A, p. 11.</ref>
  
−
Cowan was next appointed to command the ''Falcon'', destroyer, as second-in-command of the Devonport destroyers under [[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Roger Keyes]].  He had several different ships in the next two years, at the end of which, having built up a great reputation as a destroyer officer, he moved up to succeed Keyes in command, transferring in 1905, at the end of his time, to the scout ''Skirmisher'', in which he was promoted Captain on 31 December, 1906.  He was then appointed to the cruiser ''Sapphire'' (1907) and in 1908 took command of the destroyers attached to the [[Channel Fleet (Royal Navy)|Channel Fleet]].  Then, after a year in the [[British Reserve Fleet|Reserve Fleet]], he took command of a new light cruiser, the ''Gloucester'' (1910), for two years, taking no leave at all in the first so that he might have plenty in the second—for hunting, always a passion with him. He got plenty of it in his next job, two years as chief of staff to [[John Michael De Robeck, 1st Baronet|John de Robeck]], the [[Admiral of Patrols]], who was just as keen.
+
Cowan was promoted to the rank of {{CommRN}} on 30 June, 1901, for services in South Africa.{{Gaz|27335|4780|19 July, 1901}}
  
−
==The Great War==
+
On the occasion of the King's visit to Ireland he was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 5 May, 1904.{{Gaz|27675|3000|10 May, 1904}}
−
When war broke out in 1914 Cowan was in command of the pre-dreadnought [[H.M.S. Zealandia (1904)|''Zealandia'']], but he was not happy in a slow ship. In less than six months, however, he went to the battle cruiser [[H.M.S. Princess Royal (1911)|''Princess Royal'']] as [[Flag Captain]] to [[Osmond de Beauvoir Brock|Osmond Brock]], an appointment after his own heart, for the battle cruisers were certain to be in the forefront of any action.  Yet he had to wait for almost eighteen months before it came.  In the [[Battle of Jutland]] (31 May, 1916), the ''Princess Royal'' was severely damaged and had over a hundred casualties.  It took some two months to repair her, during which Cowan paid a visit to the British front in France.  In June 1917 he was made [[Commodore, First Class (Royal Navy)|Commodore, First Class]] of the [[First Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|First Light Cruiser Squadron]].  His ships were constantly at sea and Cowan with them, to his great delight, for if one were damaged and out of action he could always shift his broad pendant to another.  On one occasion they went right into the Heligoland bight in the attempt to join action with a German light cruiser squadron, chasing it to within sight of Heligoland. On [[2 September]], [[1918]] he was promoted Rear-Admiral and remained in his command, but there was little more activity for the remainder of the war.
+
 
 +
Cowan was promoted to the rank of {{CaptRN}} on 31 December, 1906.{{Gaz|27982|31|1 January, 1907}}
 +
 
 +
He was appointed to command the {{UK-Cressy|f=t}} in August, 1909.{{MackieRNW}}
 +
 
 +
In July, 1910, he assumed command of the {{UK-1Gloucester|f=t}}.{{MackieRNW}}
 +
 
 +
On 1 May, 1912, he was appointed Assistant to the [[Admiral of Patrols]].<ref>"Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Tuesday, 23 April, 1912.  Issue '''39880''', col G, p. 16.</ref>
 +
 
 +
He was appointed to command the battleship {{UK-Zealandia}} on 7 February, 1914.{{NLDec14|p. 398}}
 +
 
 +
==Great War==
 +
On 15 September he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 31 May.{{GazSup|29751|9070|15 September, 1916}}
 +
 
 +
On 7 July, 1917, he was appointed [[Commodore, First Class (Royal Navy)|Commodore, First Class]] Commanding the {{UK-LCS|1}}, from the bridge of {{UK-Caledon|f=p}}.{{UKCeased|. 24}}
 +
 
 +
On 2 September, 1918 he was promoted to the rank of {{RearRN}}.{{Gaz|30892|10661|10 September, 1918}}
  
 
==Post-war Activity==
 
==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.
+
He was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 1 January, 1919.{{GazSup|31099|106|1 January, 1919}}
  
−
In 1921 Cowan was appointed to command the [[Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Battle Cruiser Squadron]], consisting only of the [[H.M.S. Hood (1918)|''Hood'']] and [[H.M.S. Repulse (1916)|''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.  Two years' unemployment followed, in the course of which he was promoted Vice-Admiral on 2 November, 1923, and 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.
+
In June, 1919, he would transfer his flag to {{UK-Delhi}} as 1 L.C.S. was rejuvenated and became part of the new Atlantic Fleet.  He would serve in that capacity until striking his flag on 5 July, 1920.<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>
  
−
==Retirement and WWII==
+
On 2 November, 1923 he was promoted to the rank of {{ViceRN}}.{{Gaz|32878|7658|9 November, 1923}}
−
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 13''s''. 5''d''.:  Probate; [[1 June]], [[1956]].
+
Cowan was promoted to the rank of {{AdmRN}} on 1 August, 1927, vice [[Lewis Clinton-Baker|Clinton-Baker]].{{Gaz|33300|5105|5 August, 1927}}
  
−
==Commands==
+
He was placed on the Retired List on 6 October, 1931.{{Gaz|33761|6464|9 October, 1931}}
−
*HMS ''Sultan''
+
−
*HMS ''Falcon''
+
−
*HMS ''Gloucester''
+
−
*[[HMS Zealandia (1904)|HMS ''Zealandia'']]
+
−
*[[HMS Princess Royal (1911)|HMS ''Princess Royal'']]
+
  
−
==Footnotes==
+
==Retirement and the Second World War==
−
{{reflist}}
+
 
 +
==See Also==
 +
{{refbegin}}
 +
{{WP|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Cowan}}
 +
{{refend}}
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*"Admiral Sir W. Cowan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 15 February, 1956.  Issue '''53455''', col 11, pg. A.
+
*"Admiral Sir W. Cowan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Wednesday, 15 February, 1956.  Issue '''53455''', col A, pg. 11.
−
*"Adml. Sir Walter Cowan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 5 March, 1956.  Issue '''53471''', col C, pg. 13.
+
*"Adml. Sir Walter Cowan" (Obituaries).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 5 March, 1956.  Issue '''53471''', col C, p. 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.
+
*[[Lionel George Dawson|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.
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
==Service Record==
+
==Papers==
 
{{refbegin}}
 
{{refbegin}}
−
*The National Archives.  [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7891999&queryType=1&resultcount=1 ADM 196/43.]
+
*[http://collections.rmg.co.uk/archive/objects/491716.html Papers in the possession of the National Maritime Museum.] For a detailed list see [[Cowan Papers at the National Maritime Museum]].
 
{{refend}}
 
{{refend}}
  
−
[[Category:1871 births|Cowan]]
+
==Service Records==
−
[[Category:1956 deaths|Cowan]]
+
{{refbegin}}
−
[[Category:Personalities|Cowan]]
+
*{{TNA|ADM 196/88.|D8115514}}
−
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Zealandia (1904)|Cowan]]
+
*{{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}}
−
[[Category:Commanding Officers of H.M.S. Princess Royal (1911)|Cowan]]
+
{{refend}}
−
[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Cowan]]
+
 
−
[[Category:Senior Naval Officers, Baltic|Cowan]]
+
<div name=fredbot:appts>{{TabApptsBegin}}
−
[[Category:Rear-Admirals Commanding the Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Cowan]]
+
{{TabNaval}}
−
[[Category:Admirals-Superintendent of Rosyth Dockyard|Cowan]]  
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Stanley Lambert|William S. Lambert]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Boxer (1894)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Boxer'']]'''<br>20 Jan, 1898<ref>"Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices).  ''The Times''.  Monday, 24 January, 1898.  Issue '''35421''', col A, p. 11.</ref> &ndash; 27 Jun, 1898<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Randal Methven Lambert|Randal M. Lambert]]'''}}
−
[[Category:Commanders-in-Chief on the North America and West Indies Station|Cowan]]
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William George Elmhirst Ruck-Keene|William G. E. Ruck-Keene]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Falcon (1899)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Falcon'']]'''<br>5 Mar, 1903<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hubert Searle Cardale|Hubert S. Cardale]]'''}}
−
[[Category:Royal Navy Admirals|Cowan]]
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Itchen (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Itchen'']]'''<br>2 Feb, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref> &ndash; 13 Apr, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Wilfred Henderson|Wilfred Henderson]]'''}}
−
[[Category:Royal Navy Flag Officers|Cowan]]
+
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Foyle (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Foyle'']]'''<br>13 Apr, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref> &ndash; 9 Jun, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Joseph Armand Shuter|Joseph A. Shuter]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[H.M.S. Blackwater (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Blackwater'']]'''<br>9 Jun, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref> &ndash; 17 Sep, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Harry Lumsden Boyle|Harry L. Boyle]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John Garnet Armstrong|John G. Armstrong]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Lively (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Lively'']]'''<br>1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref> &ndash; 2 Feb, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 157.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Claude Alwin Rombulow-Pearse|Claude A. Rombulow-Pearse]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Charles Castle|William C. Castle]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sylvia (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sylvia'']]'''<br>17 Sep, 1904<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 6 Jan, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Philip Hyde Waterer|Philip H. Waterer]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John May|John May]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Ostrich (1900)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Ostrich'']]'''<br>6 Jan, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 17 Feb, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[William Hamilton Heath Sinclair Thomson|William H. H. S. Thomson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[William Hamilton Heath Sinclair Thomson|William H. H. S. Thomson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Kennet (1903)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Kennet'']]'''<br>17 Feb, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 14 Mar, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Philip Hyde Waterer|Philip H. Waterer]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[John May|John May]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sylvia (1897)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sylvia'']]'''<br>14 Mar, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 24 Jul, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Vaughan Alexander Edward Hanning-Lee|Vaughan A. E. Hanning-Lee]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Skirmisher (1905)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Skirmisher'']]'''<br>24 Jul, 1905<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 1 Jan, 1907<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Cecil Foley Lambert|Cecil F. Lambert]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Sapphire (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Sapphire'']]'''<br>1 Jan, 1907<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 5 Jan, 1909<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair, Twelfth Laird of Freswick|Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Jackson|Thomas Jackson]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Cressy (1899)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Cressy'']]'''<br>6 Aug, 1909{{NLJan10|p. 297}}<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 9 May, 1910<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hugh Powell Evan Tudor Williams|Hugh P. E. T. Williams]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''New Command'''|'''[[H.M.S. Gloucester (1909)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Gloucester'']]'''<br>9 Jul, 1910<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>{{NLApr11|p. 320}} &ndash; 1 May, 1912<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Eustace La Trobe Leatham|Eustace La T. Leatham]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''?'''|'''[[Admiral of Patrols|Assistant to the Admiral of Patrols]]'''<br>1 May, 1912<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref> &ndash; 7 Feb, 1914<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Edward George Lowther-Crofton|Edward G. Lowther-Crofton]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Thomas Dawson Lees Sheppard|Thomas D. L. Sheppard]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Zealandia (1904)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Zealandia'']]'''<br>7 Feb, 1914{{NLDec14|p. 398}} &ndash; 17 Feb, 1915<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Richard Morden Harbord-Hamond, Tenth Baron Suffield|Richard M. Harbord]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Osmond de Beauvoir Brock|Osmond de B. Brock]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Princess Royal (1911)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Princess Royal'']]'''<br>17 Feb, 1915<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/168.}}  f. 249.</ref>{{NLDec16|p. 397''c''}} &ndash; Jun, 1917<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43/168.}}  f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[John Donald Kelly|John D. Kelly]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Claud Hamilton Sinclair|Claud H. Sinclair]]'''|'''[[H.M.S. Caledon (1916)|Captain of H.M.S. ''Caledon'']]'''<br>7 Jul, 1917{{NLNov17|p. 392''a''}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Henry Steuart Macnaghten Harrison-Wallace|Henry S. M. Harrison-Wallace]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair, Twelfth Laird of Freswick|Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair]]'''|'''[[First Light Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>? &ndash; 5 Jul, 1920<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43.|D7576536}} f. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[James Andrew Fergusson|James A. Fergusson]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Roger John Brownlow Keyes, First Baron Keyes|Sir Roger J. B. Keyes, Bart.]]'''|'''[[Battle Cruiser Squadron (Royal Navy)|Rear-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron]]'''<br>31 Mar, 1921<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref> &ndash; 15 May, 1923<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Frederick Laurence Field|Sir Frederick L. Field]]'''<br><small>as '''Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron'''</small>}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.]]'''|'''[[Rosyth Royal Dockyard|Admiral Superintendent of Rosyth Dockyard]]'''<br>30 Jun, 1925<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref> &ndash; 2 Jun, 1926<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Colin Cantlie|Colin Cantlie]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt, First Baronet|Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart.]]'''|'''[[Coast of Scotland Station|Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Scotland]]'''<br>30 Jun, 1925<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref> &ndash; 2 Jun, 1926<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Humphrey Wykeham Bowring|Humphrey W. Bowring]]'''}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[James Andrew Fergusson|James A. Fergusson]]'''<br><small>as '''Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station'''</small>|'''[[North America and West Indies Station|Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station]]'''<br>2 Jun, 1926<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref> &ndash; 22 Jul, 1928<ref>Cowan Service Record.  {{TNA|ADM 196/43}}.  p. 249.</ref>|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Cyril Thomas Moulden Fuller|Cyril T. M. Fuller]]'''}}
 +
{{TabCourt}}
 +
{{TabApptsRow|Preceded by<br>'''[[Edwyn Sinclair Alexander-Sinclair, Twelfth Laird of Freswick|Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair]]'''|'''[[First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp|First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp]]'''<br>12 Dec, 1930{{Gaz|33670|8077|16 December, 1930}}|Succeeded by<br>'''[[Hubert George Brand|The Hon. Sir Hubert G. Brand]]'''}}
 +
{{TabEnd}}
 +
</div name=fredbot:appts>
 +
 
 +
==Footnotes==
 +
{{reflist}}
 +
 
 +
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowan, Walter}}
 +
 
 +
{{CatPerson|UK|1871|1956}}
 +
{{CatBritannia|January, 1884}}
 +
[[Category:Senior Naval Officers, Baltic]]
 +
[[Category:Commanding Officers, Coast of Scotland and Admirals Superintendent of Rosyth Dockyard]]
 +
{{CatAdm|UK}}
 +
{{CatRN}}

Latest revision as of 19:29, 11 April 2024

Admiral Sir Walter H. Cowan, Bart., 1919.
© National Portrait Gallery, London.

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

Early Life & Career

On 28 January, 1892, Cowan was confirmed in the rank of Sub-Lieutenant, dated 14 July, 1890.[1]

Cowan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant with seniority of 13 November, 1893.[2]

Cowan was appointed in command of the destroyer Boxer on 20 January, 1898.[3]

Cowan was promoted to the rank of Commander on 30 June, 1901, for services in South Africa.[4]

On the occasion of the King's visit to Ireland he was appointed a Member of the Fourth Class of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.) on 5 May, 1904.[5]

Cowan was promoted to the rank of Captain on 31 December, 1906.[6]

He was appointed to command the armoured cruiser Cressy in August, 1909.[7]

In July, 1910, he assumed command of the light cruiser Gloucester.[8]

On 1 May, 1912, he was appointed Assistant to the Admiral of Patrols.[9]

He was appointed to command the battleship Zealandia on 7 February, 1914.[10]

Great War

On 15 September he was appointed an Additional Member of the Third Class, or Companion, in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B.) dated 31 May.[11]

On 7 July, 1917, he was appointed Commodore, First Class Commanding the First Light Cruiser Squadron, from the bridge of H.M.S. Caledon.[12]

On 2 September, 1918 he was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral.[13]

Post-war Activity

He was appointed an Additional Member of the Second Class, or Knight Commander, in the Military Division of the Order of the Bath (K.C.B.) on 1 January, 1919.[14]

In June, 1919, he would transfer his flag to Delhi as 1 L.C.S. was rejuvenated and became part of the new Atlantic Fleet. He would serve in that capacity until striking his flag on 5 July, 1920.[15]

On 2 November, 1923 he was promoted to the rank of Vice-Admiral.[16]

Cowan was promoted to the rank of Admiral on 1 August, 1927, vice Clinton-Baker.[17]

He was placed on the Retired List on 6 October, 1931.[18]

Retirement and the Second World War

See Also

Bibliography

  • "Admiral Sir W. Cowan" (Obituaries). The Times. Wednesday, 15 February, 1956. Issue 53455, col A, pg. 11.
  • "Adml. Sir Walter Cowan" (Obituaries). The Times. Monday, 5 March, 1956. Issue 53471, col C, p. 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

Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
William S. Lambert 		Captain of H.M.S. Boxer
20 Jan, 1898[19] – 27 Jun, 1898[20] 		Succeeded by
Randal M. Lambert
Preceded by
William G. E. Ruck-Keene 		Captain of H.M.S. Falcon
5 Mar, 1903[21] 		Succeeded by
Hubert S. Cardale
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M.S. Itchen
2 Feb, 1904[22] – 13 Apr, 1904[23] 		Succeeded by
Wilfred Henderson
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M.S. Foyle
13 Apr, 1904[24] – 9 Jun, 1904[25] 		Succeeded by
Joseph A. Shuter
Preceded by
? 		Captain of H.M.S. Blackwater
9 Jun, 1904[26] – 17 Sep, 1904[27] 		Succeeded by
Harry L. Boyle
Preceded by
John G. Armstrong 		Captain of H.M.S. Lively
1904[28] – 2 Feb, 1904[29] 		Succeeded by
Claude A. Rombulow-Pearse
Preceded by
William C. Castle 		Captain of H.M.S. Sylvia
17 Sep, 1904[30] – 6 Jan, 1905[31] 		Succeeded by
Philip H. Waterer
Preceded by
John May 		Captain of H.M.S. Ostrich
6 Jan, 1905[32] – 17 Feb, 1905[33] 		Succeeded by
William H. H. S. Thomson
Preceded by
William H. H. S. Thomson 		Captain of H.M.S. Kennet
17 Feb, 1905[34] – 14 Mar, 1905[35] 		Succeeded by
Philip H. Waterer
Preceded by
John May 		Captain of H.M.S. Sylvia
14 Mar, 1905[36] – 24 Jul, 1905[37] 		Succeeded by
Vaughan A. E. Hanning-Lee
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Skirmisher
24 Jul, 1905[38] – 1 Jan, 1907[39] 		Succeeded by
Reginald Yorke Tyrwhitt
Preceded by
Cecil F. Lambert 		Captain of H.M.S. Sapphire
1 Jan, 1907[40] – 5 Jan, 1909[41] 		Succeeded by
Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair
Preceded by
Thomas Jackson 		Captain of H.M.S. Cressy
6 Aug, 1909[42][43] – 9 May, 1910[44] 		Succeeded by
Hugh P. E. T. Williams
Preceded by
New Command 		Captain of H.M.S. Gloucester
9 Jul, 1910[45][46] – 1 May, 1912[47] 		Succeeded by
Eustace La T. Leatham
Preceded by
? 		Assistant to the Admiral of Patrols
1 May, 1912[48] – 7 Feb, 1914[49] 		Succeeded by
Edward G. Lowther-Crofton
Preceded by
Thomas D. L. Sheppard 		Captain of H.M.S. Zealandia
7 Feb, 1914[50] – 17 Feb, 1915[51] 		Succeeded by
Richard M. Harbord
Preceded by
Osmond de B. Brock 		Captain of H.M.S. Princess Royal
17 Feb, 1915[52][53] – Jun, 1917[54] 		Succeeded by
John D. Kelly
Preceded by
Claud H. Sinclair 		Captain of H.M.S. Caledon
7 Jul, 1917[55] 		Succeeded by
Henry S. M. Harrison-Wallace
Preceded by
Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair 		Rear-Admiral Commanding, First Light Cruiser Squadron
? – 5 Jul, 1920[56] 		Succeeded by
James A. Fergusson
Preceded by
Sir Roger J. B. Keyes, Bart. 		Rear-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
31 Mar, 1921[57] – 15 May, 1923[58] 		Succeeded by
Sir Frederick L. Field
as Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron
Preceded by
Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart. 		Admiral Superintendent of Rosyth Dockyard
30 Jun, 1925[59] – 2 Jun, 1926[60] 		Succeeded by
Colin Cantlie
Preceded by
Sir Reginald Y. Tyrwhitt, Bart. 		Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Scotland
30 Jun, 1925[61] – 2 Jun, 1926[62] 		Succeeded by
Humphrey W. Bowring
Preceded by
James A. Fergusson
as Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station 		Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station
2 Jun, 1926[63] – 22 Jul, 1928[64] 		Succeeded by
Cyril T. M. Fuller
Court Appointments
Preceded by
Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair 		First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp
12 Dec, 1930[65] 		Succeeded by
The Hon. Sir Hubert G. Brand

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26253. p. 544. 2 February, 1892.
  2. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 26359. p. 2. 2 January, 1893.
  3. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 24 January, 1898. Issue 35421, col A, p. 11.
  4. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27335. p. 4780. 19 July, 1901.
  5. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27675. p. 3000. 10 May, 1904.
  6. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 27982. p. 31. 1 January, 1907.
  7. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  8. ↑ Mackie, Colin. ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS.
  9. ↑ "Naval and Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Tuesday, 23 April, 1912. Issue 39880, col G, p. 16.
  10. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 398.
  11. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 29751. p. 9070. 15 September, 1916.
  12. ↑ Squadrons and Senior Naval Officers in Existence on 11th November, 1918. . 24.
  13. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 30892. p. 10661. 10 September, 1918.
  14. ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 31099. p. 106. 1 January, 1919.
  15. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  16. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32878. p. 7658. 9 November, 1923.
  17. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33300. p. 5105. 5 August, 1927.
  18. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33761. p. 6464. 9 October, 1931.
  19. ↑ "Naval & Military Intelligence" (Official Appointments and Notices). The Times. Monday, 24 January, 1898. Issue 35421, col A, p. 11.
  20. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  21. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  22. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  23. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  24. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  25. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  26. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  27. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  28. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  29. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 157.
  30. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  31. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  32. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  33. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  34. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  35. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  36. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  37. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  38. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  39. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  40. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  41. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  42. ↑ The Navy List. (January, 1910). p. 297.
  43. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  44. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  45. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  46. ↑ The Navy List. (April, 1911). p. 320.
  47. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  48. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  49. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  50. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1914). p. 398.
  51. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  52. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/168. f. 249.
  53. ↑ The Navy List. (December, 1916). p. 397c.
  54. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43/168. f. 249.
  55. ↑ The Navy List. (November, 1917). p. 392a.
  56. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. f. 249.
  57. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  58. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  59. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  60. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  61. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  62. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  63. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  64. ↑ Cowan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/43. p. 249.
  65. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33670. p. 8077. 16 December, 1930.

Retrieved from "http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/tfs/index.php?title=Walter_Henry_Cowan,_First_Baronet&oldid=334912"