Stewart Cowan was born in Sarnia, on April 30, 1890, the son of John Cowan (a barrister) and Eliza (nee McIntere) Cowan, of 322 North Christina Street, Sarnia. His siblings included: Carrie M., Kate S., John, Annie, Susie, Elizabeth, Hector and Frank. Stewart attended Sarnia public schools, then University College 1907-08; Delta Kappa Epsilon; Law School. He became a barrister in Sarnia, with the firm of Cowan, Towers and Cowan. At his enlistment, he originally belonged to the 27th Militia. In 1915, he was appointed to the 70th Battalion, and he went overseas in April 1916.

In July 1916, Mrs. W.B. Elsworth of Sarnia would receive the following letter from Lieutenant Stewart Cowan, which he had written while in England:

Dear Mrs. Elsworth,

Two dozen pairs of socks arrived today. I distributed them amongst Sarnia men who are with us. They were certainly more than glad to receive them and being from home they were doubly welcome. I wish you could have seen the men double out of their tents when they heard, “socks from Sarnia” called out. They asked me to thank the members of the Pro Patria Chaper, I.O.D.E. and to say that the socks were needed, as Kitchener boots are to say the least, a bit rough on socks.

I notice that you sent three dozen pairs. As I expect to leave for France any day now I have arranged for the distribution of the third dozen when they arrive. Our battalion is pretty well broken up. We have only about five hundred men left, and by the end of this week all the officers except five will be in France. About sixteen are there are now. Everybody would have liked to have gone across as a unit. But the Battalions in France have to be reinforced, so we are being sent to several different battalions.

Again many thanks for the socks and best regards from everybody here to all the members of the chapter.

Yours sincerely, Stewart Cowan

Shorncliffe, England July 5th, 1916

During the summer of 1916, Stewart Cowan became a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Quebec Regiment, 24th Battalion, with the rank of Lieutenant. He would go on to serve on the Front at the Somme. On October 1, 1916, Stewart Cowan would lose his life while fighting during the Battle of the Somme, at Courcelette, France. Stewart Cowan would later be officially listed as, Killed in action. Killed while leading his Platoon over the parapet in an attack on enemy trenches. At Courcelette. Twenty-six year old Stewart Cowan has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.

The following is a portion of the report on Stewart Cowan’s death from the October 13, 1916 Sarnia Observer:

Another Sarnia young man has laid down his life for King and Country in the person of Lieut. Stewart Cowan, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cowan of this city, and a promisinig young law student, who was killed in action somewhere in France. Sunday morning a cablegram was received by Mr. Cowan from Col. R.I. Towers in England, stating, “All Sarnia boys well on the 5th.” In the evening another cablegram was received from Col. Towers stating, “Death of Stewart Cowan reported. First information was incorrect. Trying to verify later report.” The receipt of the latter cable brought sorrow to the parents, relatives and many friends of the young soldier who was one of the most popular young men of this city. He took an active interest in all athletic sports and was especially active in the great winter game of hockey.

SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G