Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Samuel Irwin Cowen was born at Stillington, County Durham in 1890, one of 4 children, the youngest and only son, he had 3 elder sisters. His father Samuel Cowen was born at County Down, Ireland in 1852 and married in 1881 to Sarah Mary, surname unknown. By 1884 they were living at Winford, County Durham where their 3 daughters Sarah Jane, Isabella and Mary were born. In 1891 having moved to 19, Lowson Street, Whitton, Parish of Stillington, Samuel was employed as an ironworker whilst the elder children were scholars. His daughters when they were older remained at home with their mother, Samuel Irwin joined his father at the blast furnace as an oven worker. His mother Sarah Mary died at Stockton in 1913.
On the outbreak of war Samuel Irwin Cowen was 24 years of age, he enlisted in 1914 at Hartlepool and was assigned as Private 22837 to the Hussars, battalion unknown. During the 1st quarter (Jan/Feb/Mar) 1915 he married at Stockton to Annie Stewart. His training complete he departed October 8th 1915, bound for France, having been transferred to the 2nd Leicestershire Regiment as Private 19028.
They were to be moved from France, via Marseilles to Egypt as part of the 28th Indian Brigade, November 7th 1915 and arrive during early December 1915 but this was delayed until after December 25th 1915 because of the fear of submarine attacks. Attached to the 7th Meerut Division they finally arrived in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) in Spring 1916 and joined the Tigris Corps.
The 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment attached to the 28th Indian Brigade, 7th Meerut Division participated during the battle at the Sheikh Sa’ad, January 6th-8th followed by the Battle of Wadi which began January 13th and was totally unsuccessful in relieving the forces commanded by Sir Charles Townsend under siege by the Ottoman 6th Army, they then attacked Hanna, January 21st upstream from Wadi on the Tigris, but did not see front line action again until the Battle of Dujaila.
Private 19023 Samuel Irwin Cowen was killed in action on the first day of battle at Dujaila, March 8th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded on the Basra Memorial as one of 40,500 names of Commonwealth forces who died during the battles in Mesopotamia from Autumn 1914 to the end of August 1921 who have no known grave. He was 26 years old.
His widow Annie received all monies due to him along with his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British war Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at their home at 16, Lowson Street, Stockton. Their marriage was childless.
Until 1997 the Basra Memorial was located on the main quay of the naval dockyard at Maqil, on the west bank of the Shatt-al-Arab, about 8 kilometres north of Basra. Due to the sensitivity of the site, the Memorial was moved by presidential decree and has been re-erected in its entirety. The Basra Memorial is now located 32 kilometres along the road to Nasiriyah, in the middle of what was a major battleground during the first Gulf War. Whilst the current climate of political instability persists in the area it is challenging for the Commission to manage or maintain its cemeteries and memorials located within Iraq. A Roll of Honour listing all casualties buried and commemorated in Iraq has been produced. These volumes are on display at the Commission's Head Office in Maidenhead and are available for the public to view.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Samuel Irwin Cowen is remembered at Stillington on S137.02 and as Cowan on S137.01
