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Apr 2, 1892
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Born in Grimsby, Ontario to
William and Mary (nee Forbes) Cowan
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Nov 6, 1915
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Attested into the 98th
Battalion CEF in Welland, Ontario
Ø Number 210244
Ø Next of kin given
as Mr. William Cowan, father, Grimsby, Ontario
Ø Previous occupation
given as Farmer
Ø Previous military
experience given as 44th Regiment
Ø Religion given as
Methodist
Ø Posted to “B”
Company
The battalion trained in the
Niagara-Welland area in addition to doing guard duty on the Welland Canal
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Jul 16, 1916
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Embarked the SS Lapland in
Halifax, Nova Scotia
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Jul 25, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool,
England and the battalion proceeded to Otterpool to continue training
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Oct 4, 1916
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Oct 5, 1916
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian
Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and Taken On Strength of the
21st Battalion
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Oct 16, 1916
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After leaving the base depot,
Private Cowan joined the 21st Battalion in billets in Divion,
France
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Apr 9, 1917
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During the attack on Vimy
Ridge in France, Private Cowan received a shrapnel wound to his lower back
and was evacuated to a field ambulance for first aid before being transported
to a casualty clearing station. From
here he was transferred to the No. 2 Australian General Hospital in Wimereux,
France
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Apr 11, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard
the Hospital Ship St. Patrick
On arrival in England, he was
admitted to the 1st Western General Hospital in Fazakerley then
transferred to the Cottage Hospital in Southport
Transferred to the EORD
(Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposed while in hospital
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Jul 31, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Aug 10, 1917
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Discharged from hospital and
granted 12 days sick leave
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Aug 22, 1917
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Posted to the Depot Company,
Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot in Seaford
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Oct 16, 1917
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Appointed to the rank of
Acting Sergeant with pay
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Feb 14, 1918
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Attached to the 6th
Reserve Battalion in Seaford
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Mar 2, 1918
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Reverted to the rank of
Private
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Mar 14, 1918
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Attached to the CDD (Canadian
Discharge Depot) in Buxton pending return to Canada
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Apr 8, 1918
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Embarked the SS Mauritania in Liverpool
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Apr 15, 1918
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova
Scotia and proceeded to Toronto, Ontario
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May 8, 1918
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Medical exam at the Ravina
Barracks, Toronto notes
Ø Man suffers from
Traumatic Neurasthenia and Varicocele
Ø Sleeps poorly and
has feelings of dread and apprehension
Ø Tires easily and
sweats freely on exertion
Ø Has frontal
headaches and feels dizzy after stooping over
Ø Appetite is poor
and lacks concentration
Ø Tremors in fingers
when extended
Ø Board recommends he
be discharged from service as physically unfit
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May 16, 1918
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Discharged from the CEF in
Toronto, Ontario
Ø Rank on discharge
Private
Ø War Service Badge
Class “A” issued
Ø War Service Badge
Class “B” issued
Ø Entitled to wear 1
gold wound stripe
Ø Proposed residence on
discharge Grimsby, Ontario
Following the end of the war, he
was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medals. There is no indication in his file that he
ever received them
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Nov 29, 1920
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Married to Elsie Edna Grasley
in Grimsby, Ontario
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Apr 1, 1931
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William’s wife Elsie died in
Hamilton, Ontario
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Sep 27, 1935
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Married to Mary Helena Markle
in Hamilton, Ontario
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Dec 17, 1952
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William’s wife Mary died in
Toronto, Ontario
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