Sep 5, 1878

Born in Birmingham, England to William and Sarah (nee Hyde) Cowper 

Francis Cowper served in the Boer War with the 29^th Company, Royal Engineers and earned the Queen’s South Africa Medal with Cape Colony clasp and the King’s South Africa Medal.  On returning to England in 1902, he was transferred to the 46^th Company, Royal Engineers.  I could not ascertain when he was discharged. 

In December of 1903, Francis Cowper married Emily Culm in Kings Norton, Worcestershire, England

Jan 1, 1915

Shown on the payroll of the 4^th Field Company, Canadian Engineers with the service number 306

Feb 18, 1915

Discharged from the 4^th Field Company

Mar 24, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion CEF in Lindsay, Ontario 

Ø      Number 412333

Ø      Next of kin given as Emily Cowper, wife, Glenholm Ave., Fairbank, Toronto, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Bricklayer

Ø      Previous military experience given as 3 years in the Royal Engineers

Ø      Religion given as Methodist

Ø      Assigned to “A” Company 

The battalion trained in the Belleville, Ontario area

Jun 17, 1915

Embarked the SS Missanabie in Montreal, Quebec

Jul 1, 1915

Reverted to the rank of Private at his own request while onboard ship

Jul 3, 1915

Disembarked in Plymouth, England and proceeded to Shorncliffe and then on to Lydd to continue training

Sep 24, 1915

The 39^th Battalion moved to West Sandling to continue training

Oct 5, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal

Nov 18, 1915

Reverted to the rank of private at his own request and was posted to the 21^st Battalion

Nov 19, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 267 reinforcements from England and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 27, 1915

Left the CBD to join the battalion

Nov 30, 1915

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the N & O front line trenches and was assigned to “C” Company

Sep 15, 1916

During the battalion’s advance on the sugar refinery at Courcelette as part of the Battle of the Somme, Private Cowper received a shrapnel wound to his left foot and was admitted to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid then transferred to the CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Sep 20, 1916

Transferred to the No. 8 CFA for evaluation and discharged to duty and rejoined the battalion

Oct 3, 1916

While in the front line trench near Courcelette he received wounds to his back and arms and was admitted to the No. 5 CFA for first aid

Oct 4, 1916

Transferred to the No. 4 CFA then transferred to the No. 6 CFA Divisional Rest Station

Oct 7, 1916

Transferred to the No. 2 CFA

Oct 10, 1916

Transferred to the No. 9 CFA for evaluation and discharged to duty and rejoined the battalion

Nov 9, 1916

Appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal to replace L/Cpl R Lever 59583 who had reverted to the rank of Private at his own request

Jan 17, 1917

The 21^st Battalion carried out a large trench raid to disrupt the enemy and to gather intelligence.  At the completion of the raid, when the men were returning to their own trenches, Lance Corporal Cowper received fatal shrapnel wounds to his back and died moments later.

Jan 19, 1917

His comrades, with a service that was conducted by then Captain, Reverend EW Kidd MC, buried Lance Corporal Cowper in the Maroc British Cemetery.

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny), Scroll and Memorial Cross were sent to his widow, Mrs. E. Cowper, c/o Reginald Cowper, 2212 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario