Cpl 16087 Robert Joseph Cowman

• Age: 22
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 12th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Robert Joseph was born on 28th August 1893 the son of Joseph Gregory and Margaret Watson Cowman (nee Sutton). He was baptised on 30th September 1893 at Laurel Road, Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, the family were residing at 4 Swiss Road, Fairfield at the time.

The family are still resident at 4 Swiss Road at the time of the 1901 Census. Robert is 7 years of age. He is living with his parents and one sibling. His father, Joseph Gregory, was born in Whitehaven in 1866 and is a mercantile clerk, whilst his mother was also born in Whitehaven in 1863. His younger brother Frederick Gregory was born in Liverpool, he is 4 years of age.  Also present in the household is his aunt Annie Adeline Sutton, his mother's sister, she was born in Whitehaven in 1866  and there is also a servant in the household, Catherine Evans a 28 year old born in Hanley in Staffordshire. 

By the time of the 1911 Census the family are still at 4 Swiss Road, Robert is now 17 years of age and is recorded as being a Chartered Accountant's articled clerk. He is living with his parents, his father is now recorded as a ship broker. His younger brother Frederick Gregory is now 14 and recorded as a scholar. Also, still present in the household is his aunt, Annie Adeline Sutton, she is living by private means. There is also a servant in the household, Catherine Williams a 20 year old domestic servant born in Dolwyddelen.   

Robert Joseph enlisted in Liverpool at St George's Hall on 01st September 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16087. His attestation papers show that he was 21 years and 4 days oldand was an accountants clerk having in his own words "signed articles for five years expiring 27th October 1914. He was described as being 5' 9 and a half inches tall, weighed 136lbs and has a 36 and a half inch chest. He was of fair complexion with grey eyes and sandy hair. His religion is stated as Wesleyan. He was appointed unpaid Lance Corporal on 05th December 1914 and paid Lance Corporal on 03rd April 1915 whilst still stationed at Prescot Watch Factory. He was promoted to Corporal on 02nd September 1915.  

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Robert was treated at a Casualty Clearing Station for German Measles between 03rd May and 13th May 1916.

He was killed in action during the fighting at Trones Wood, aged 22. 

The murderous fighting that went on inside Trones Wood rendered it impossible to put specific dates on some of the casualties which is why many of the 17^th Battalion losses have been bracketed as killed in action between 10^th – 12th July 1916. The conditions are best described in the following passage from Everard Wyrall’s book The History of The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) Volume II. 

The remembrance of Trones Wood in July 1916 to those who passed through it is of a noisome, horrible place, of a tangled mass of trees and undergrowth which had been tossed and flung about in frightful confusion by the shells of both sides. Of the ghastly dead which lay about in all directions, and of DEATH, lurking in every hole and corner with greedy hands ready to snatch the lives of the unwary.  

The place was a Death trap, and although the attacks were made with great determination,  the presence of snipers who could not be detected and often fired into the backs of our men made the clearing of the wood impossible.

Originally reported as Missing Robert's father wrote to the Record Office at Preston on 21st July 1916 as follows:

Gentlemen,

I beg to confirm my wire of yesterday asking for information re my son Corporal Robert J. Cowman No.16087 , 17th Service Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment who is reported to have been badly wounded on the night of the 11th July according to a letter we have from a friend of his in the Battalion and I thank you for your telegram in reply, though you are not yet in a position to give us any particulars. We are very anxious for news and I will take it as a great favour if you will, as soon as ever you can, send me word of him and where he is located. 

I am Gentlemen,

Your obedient servant 

J G Cowman 

Robert's parents also placed an appeal for information in the Liverpool Courier on 17th August 1916.

Missing

Any information rearding the following will be welcomed by the relatives at the addresses memtioned:- Corporal Robert J.Cowman,of the scouting section,Liverpool Pals, is offically reported missing since 11th July. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.G. Cowman, reside at 1 Cavendish-road,Blundellsands. Corporal Cowman joined the "Pals" on their formation in August 1914, going to the front with them in November,1915. He is in his 23rd year,and served his articles with Messrs. J.W. Davidson, Cookson, and Co.,chartered accountants, Liverpool. 

A further local newspaper reported

MISSING BLUNDELLSANDS MAN

Corporal Robert J. Cowman, of the "Pals" who has been reported missing since July 11, resided at 1 Cavendish-road, Blundellsands. He served his articles with Messrs. J.W. Davidson, Cookson and Co, chartered accountants, Liverpool. His parents will be grateful for any information about him.  

His father also wrote to the International Red Cross for any information that they may hold on Robert. Sadly the record states that a negative response was sent on 12th August 1916. 

Robert's body was not recovered from the battlefield and the authorities decided on 14th January 1917 that his death was assumed to be on or about 12th July 1916.

His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

He earned his three medals, which his father signed for at his home address of 15 Coronation Drive, Great Crosby, Liverpool.

His father signed a declaration on12th May 1919 advising that he and his wife were the only living relatives of Robert. 

Probate was granted to his father on 19th March 1920 at Liverpool. Details were:

COWMAN - Robert Joseph of 1 Cavendish Road, Blundellsands near Liverpool. Corporal 17th Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment died on or since 10 July 1916 in France. Probate Liverpool 19th March to Joseph Gregory Cowman shipping manager. Effects £112 14s & 1d.  

Robert is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool College

Great Crosby and Blundellsands

St Nicholas' Church, Blundellsands

Blundellsands Methodist Chapel, Mersey Road.   

Liverpool Chartered Accountants and Articled Clerks

Robert's loss was not the only devastating loss that his parents had to endure as his brother Frederick Gregory Cowman, serving as Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment was killed on 28th September 1918 aged 22. He now rests at Noyelles-Sur- L'Escaut, C.C. Extension at II.B.10. His headstone bears the epitaph:

HE DID HIS BEST

Soldiers Effects to father Joseph G.

We currently have no further information on Robert Joseph Cowman, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.