Cowley, Harry

Age: 31
Date of birth: 1883

Parents: John and Jane Cowley
Wife: Annie Walton
Address: Quinton, Warwickshire

Occupation: Carpenter

Harry, and his family before him, were born and lived in Quinton, Gloucestershire.  He was baptised at Quinton Parish on 10th June 1883.  His parents were John and Jane Cowley.  John, was an agricultural labourer and Jane was a cook.

At the time of the 1901 census, they were living in a cottage in Quinton and the three children were at home – Mary (20), Harry (17), who was a carpenter, and Emma (14) who is described as ‘a candidate’ at Quinton CE School.

Harry married Annie Walton in Quinton – the Banns were read on 21st May 1908.  By 1911, they were living at Alveston in Stratford upon Avon and had a son, Philip John (b1910), who was one.  They later had a daughter, Jane (b1914).

By the time of Harry’s death, the family were living at 44 Linen Street, Warwick.  His wife lived in Warwick for the remainder of her life so it is probable that she made the application for Harry’s inscription on Warwick War Memorial.

Military Service

Rank & Number: Private, 19841
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment)
Brigade/Division: 21st Brigade, 7th Division
Date of death: Saturday, September 25, 1915
Cause of death/Battle: Killed in action - Battle of Loos
Commemorated/Buried: Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais
Awards: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Commemorated locally at: St Pauls Church

Harry enlisted for “Short Service” in the military in 1903.  He describes himself as a carpenter on his Attestation papers.

Contributors

  • Unlocking Warwick Research Group
  • Warwick Shrine application courtesy of Warwickshire County Record Office

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