Friends of Hastings Cemetery

LB J12

Private Harry Crichton Cowley

BIRTH 1896

DEATH 31 August 1916 (aged 20)

Lambeth

Francis Tugwell Cowley

Born 11 Aug 1863

Died  17 Jan 1927

Aged 62

There is no visible memorial for Francis although burial records show this is where he was intered.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer,  Saturday 19 August 1916

PRIVATE H. COWLEY.

We are sorry to announce that Private Henry Cowley (whose family resides at Derwent Lodge, Maze-hill. St. Leonards) has been badly wounded whilst fighting with the Regiment at the Front.  The bad news first reached the family in a letter from a Church of England chaplain. Since then a letter has been received from a nursing sister stating that was suffering from wounds Private Cowlev in the head and leg.  He is now at King George's Hospital, London.  Private Cowley was for some time the Editorial staff of this journal, and enlisted 19 months ago. He is now 20 years of age.

The Hastings Observer, on 26th August 1916,

……. announced the death of PRIVATE W. E. KENT. https://www.ww1rollofhonour.co.uk/index.php/tag/may-1915/page/14/

 His Company Commander wrote of him that no man could have died in a finer way than he did.  With three others, he volunteered to carry a badly wounded man to the dressing station while under heavy fire.  The wounded comrade referred was Private H. Cowley, of St. Leonards. The fact of his being wounded was mentioned in our last issue.  Private Cowley, who was grievously wounded, is bright and cheerful, and proud of the part he has played in the War.  He is quite helpless, and too weak to be operated upon. He is by no means out of danger, and in all probability it will very long time before he is able to get about again.

Harry died aged 20 five days after the above newspaper report,. 31 August 1916 .

Francis Cowley