The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge. Beneath the main figures, the British lion defeats the German eagle. The initials 'ECP', for the designer Edward Carter Preston appear above the lion's right forepaw. A raised rectangle above the lion's head bears the name 'GERARD HENDERSON COWAN'.
Born near Geraldton, Western Australia, Gerard Henderson Cowan was employed as a farmer, and, according to his father, also a law student, when he enlisted in the AIF on 3 July 1916, aged 20. Assigned a private, service number 6733, to the 22nd reinforcements for the 11th Battalion, Cowan sailed for overseas service from Fremantle aboard HMAT A8 Argyllshire in November, arriving in England on 10 January 1917. After further training he joined C Company of his battalion in France in May.
Cowan received a severe shrapnel wound to the buttock on 21 September, at Glencorse Wood during the third battle of Ypres, while helping to carry a wounded man back to a dressing station. He was evacuated to England for treatment and in February 1918 was posted to the 1st Training Brigade Signal School. The following month he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC) as a 2nd Air Mechanic. Cowan undertook his initial pilot's training at the Royal Flying Corps' Aeronautical Training School near Oxford before being posted to the AFC's 6th Training Squadron at Minchinhampton. Graduating as a pilot, he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on 1 October and posted to France. Cowan contracted influenza in February 1919 and was taken to the 4th Stationary (British) Hospital at St Omer. He died there of bronco-pneumonia on 22 February and was buried at the Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.
This commemorative plaque was sent to his father, Rupert Henderson Cowan, in December 1922.
Letters relating to the First World War service of 6733 Private Gerard Henderson Cowan, 11 Australian Infantry Battalion. In his letters to his family written between 1916 and 1917, Cowan describes
Letters relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Gerard Henderson Cowan, 2nd Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. In his letters to his family written between 1918 and 1919, Cowan describe
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.
Notebook relating to the First World War service of Flying Officer Gerald Henderson Cowan, 6th Training Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. This notebook was written by Gerard Henderson Cowan in 1917-
Bronze next of kin plaque, showing on the obverse, Britannia holding a laurel wreath, the British lion, dolphins, a spray of oak leaves and the words 'HE DIED FOR FREEDOM AND HONOUR' around the edge.