Cowan | Walter Henry | | Lieutenant | COWAN, WALTER HENRY, Lieutenant, Royal Navy, was born on 11 June 1871, at Alveston, son of Captain W F Cowan, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, of Alveston, Warwickshire. He was educated on HMS Britannia, Dartmouth, and joined the Royal Navy in 1886. He served in the Brass River Expedition, 1895; Mwele Expedition, August 1895, HMS Barrosa. Received the Royal Humane Society's Medal for, with two Able Seamen of that ship, saving the life of a Sepoy of the 24th Baluchistan Regiment in the Pungwe River, East Africa, whilst on a punitive expedition. He served in the Expedition to Benin, 1897. Mentioned in Despatches for Benin; General African Medal with two clasps. In 1898 he served in the Nile Expediton; in the Khartoum Campaign and at Fashoda, and in 1899 at the final defeat and death of the Khalifa. Twice mentioned in Despatches, Sudan Medal and three clasps; Medjidie, Fourth Class; British Sudan Medal, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 15 November 1898]: "Walter Henry Cowan, Lieutenant, Royal Navy. In recognition of services in Egypt and the Sudan". ADC to Lord Kitchener in the South African War, 1900, and subsequently Naval ADC to Lord Roberts (South African Medal and three clasps; mentioned in Despatches); MVO, 1904, and was promoted Captain, 1906. From 1910 to 1912 he was Captain, HMS Gloucester. He served in the European War; took part in the Battle of Jutland, in command of HMS Princess Royal, 31 May 1916. and greatly distinguished himself. He was mentioned in Despatches, created a CB, and a KCB 1 January 1919. He was afterwards in command of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, and served in the Baltic, 1919. He became Captain, HMS Princess Royal, in 1916, and was Rear Admiral 2 September 1918. Sir W Cowan married, in 1901, Catherine, daughter of Digby Cayley.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Navy |