9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
06/09/1880
Died:
19/03/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
35
Summary
Henry Cowan was the youngest son of James and Anne Cowan. He was born on 8th June 1879. the youngest of three children, all born in the Strabane area. The family had a farm in Seein, Sion Mills. Henry was a farm labourer. Henry Cowan was living in Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley when he enlisted in Enniskillen. Private Henry Cowan was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed by a sniper on Sunday 19th March 1916.
Further Information
Henry Cowan was the youngest son of James and Anne Cowan. James Cowan and Annie Morrow were married on 22nd November 1875 in the district of Strabane.
Henry Cowan was born on 8th June 1879. He was the youngest of three children, all born in the Strabane area.
Family: James Cowan, Ann Cowan, James Cowan (born 4th March 1877), Mary Cowan (born 8th June 1879), Henry Cowan (born 6th September 1880).
The 1901 census possibly lists Henry as age 22, living his mother at house 7 in Seein, Altaclady, Sion Mills, County Tyrone. Henry was a farm labourer.
The 1911 census possibly lists Henry as age 31, living with his brother at house 16 in Seein, Altaclady. Henry was a farm servant.
Henry was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
Henry Cowan was living in Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley when he enlisted in Enniskillen.
Private Henry Cowan arrived in France on 5th October 1915.
Private Henry Cowan was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed by a sniper on Sunday 19th March 1916.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 3rd April 1916:
Private H Cowan, 10895, killed by a sniper on 19th March. Cousin of Mrs Mary McClean, Ballynasaggart, Tyrone, and formerly a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
In his will, Henry left all to a Miss Agnes Watt of Cavey, Ballygawley. At the time of Henry’s death, Agnes would have been about eighteen years old.
Last Will and Testament of Private Henry Cowan dated 27th October 1915:
In the event of my death, I leave the whole of my property, money and effects to Miss Augnes Watt, Cavey?, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, Ireland.
A newspaper reports that he was a cousin of Mrs Mary McClean of Ballynasaggart, Tyrone.
Private Henry Cowan is buried in Authuile Military Cemetery, five kilometres from Albert in France.
