GEORGE McGOWAN, Private 7524, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry

GEORGE McGOWAN, Private 7524, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, is NOT named on the Larkhall War Memorial. (I have documents that show he served in the 1st and 2nd Battalions.)

GEORGE McGOWAN was born at 15 Brushers Row, Carfin, District of Holytown, on 7th October, 1893.

His parents were George McGowan, a Coal Miner, and Mary Murphy, who were married at Paisley on 13th August, 1890.
His paternal grandparents were James McGowan, an Iron Furnaceman, and Barbara Connoway.
His maternal grandparents were Bernard Murphy, an Iron Furnaceman, and Catherine McCarvell.

The 1901 WISHAW Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 18 Woodhall Row, Wishaw, as follows:
George McGowan, age 34, Head, Labourer Iron Works, b Cambusnethan.
Mary McGowan, age 32, Wife, b Cambusnethan.
Anne McGowan, age 9, Daughter, Scholar, b Cambusnethan.
GEORGE McGOWAN, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Cambusnethan.
Mary McGowan, age 4, Daughter, b Cambusnethan.
Barbara McGowan, age 11 months, Daughter, b Cambusnethan.

The 1911 WISHAW Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 6 Branchal Road, Wishaw, as follows:
George McGowan, age 44, Head, Labourer Iron Works, b Newmains.
Mary McGowan, age 42, Wife, b Newmains.
Anne McGowan, age 19, Daughter, Brick Worker, b Cambusnethan.
GEORGE McGOWAN, age 17, Son, Labourer Iron Works, b Carfin.
Mary McGowan, age 14, Daughter, Pithead Worker, b Newmains.
Barbara McGowan, age 10, Daughter, Scholar, b Carfin.
John McGowan, age 8, Son, Scholar, b Newmains.
Patrick McGowan, age 3, Son, b Carfin.

On 5th September, 1913, GEORGE McGOWAN, age 19 of 28 English Street, Wishaw, married Ellen Langford, age 22 of English Street, Wishaw, at Clason Memorial Manse, Motherwell.

GEORGE McGOWAN joined the Highland Light Infantry as Private 7524, and went to France on 12th September, 1914.

GEORGE McGOWAN Died of Wounds on 12th June, 1915, age 22.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) entry for GEORGE McGOWAN shows that he is buried at BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY, Pas de Calais, France. There are 5,777 identified casualties buried at BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY. His wife requested that his gravestone be inscribed "His heart was good, his spirit brave, his resting place, a soldier's grave". His wife's address at that time was c/o McColl, Janefield, Hareleeshill, Larkhall, Scotland.
 

GEORGE McGOWAN is commemorated at The Scottish National War Memorial (SNWM) in Edinburgh Castle.

The entry in Soldiers Died in the Great War (SDGW) shows that GEORGE McGOWAN was born in Carfin, lived in Wishaw, and enlisted in Hamilton.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for GEORGE McGOWAN shows that he was awarded The 1914 Star Medal, The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC is dated 12th September, 1914, and indicates that he went to France on that date.

The "Soldier's Effects" record shows that his widow Helen received his Outstanding Pay of £-/-/9, additional Pay of £2/-/-, and a War Gratuity of £3/-/-.

Lest We Forget!

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC)

Medal Roll for the award of The Victory Medal and The British War Medal.

Medal Roll for the award of The 1914 Star Medal

Soldier's Effects record