2619 Private Andrew Gray (1883-31/3/1917) and 40889 Corporal Bertie Shiel (18/1/1894-5/10/1917) Cowie. "such a fine fellow"

Andrew Cowie was working as an ironmoulder in Perth, Australia when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces.  He was wounded in the Battle of Bullencourt on the Western Front.  He lies in the Australian military cemetery at Bapaume, France.

FOR KING AND COUNTRY. 

DEATHS.

COWIE. — On March 31st, 1917 (died from wounds received in action), Private Andrew Gray Cowie, 51st Battalion, 13th Brigade, Australian Imperial Forces, and eldest son of Mrs M. Cowie, Dunedin; aged 34 years.  -Evening Star, 11/5/1917.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin,

CORPORAL COWIE. 

A cablegram received yesterday announces that Bertie Shiel Cowie died from wounds on the 5th inst. He was born at Shiel Hill, Anderson Bay, about 23 years ago, received his education at the Anderson Bay School (under Mr Jeffrey) and the High School; entered the Evening Star employ as office boy, and joined the staff as a reporter. He took a very keen interest in the Territorials, of which he was an active members, attached to the machine gun section, and enlisted voluntarily in the 23rd Reinforcements. He probably would have gone away earlier but for being delayed by an operation for appendicitis. His father died many years ago. Mrs Cowie, his mother, who is now at Riverton on a visit to her daughter, the wife of the Rev. Hoani Parata, has lost both of her sons. Andrew, the elder son, enlisted with the Australians, and was killed in action last April. Dunedin reporters will sincerely mourn the death of Corporal Cowie, for he was a good comrade, and gave promise of rising in his profession.  -Otago Daily Times, 16/10/1917.

MOTORING

by Carburettor

It was with extreme regret that club members heard this week of the death of Corporal Cowie. He was very often present at the monthly meetings, and his reports of the business were considered by members as very impartial. Corporal Cowie, although not a motorist, took a keen interest in the doings of the club. I always regarded, him as a journalist who would one day make a name for himself, and feel very deeply the loss of such a fine fellow.  -Evening Star, 20/10/1917.

Bertie Cowie's army record has sparse but telling details of the wounds from which he died.  They are described as "gunshot wound back, penetrating abdomen."

ANGLICAN BOYS' HOME

DEDICATION OF COTS AND ANNUAL MEETING.

Bathed in sunshine yesterday afternoon, the Anglican Memorial Home for Boys at Vauxhall looked the ideal situation for an orphanage. Away from the dust and smoke of the city, surrounded by green fields and trees, and looked after with the best of motherly care, it is no wonder that the boys look so happy, healthy, and contented. There was a large representative gathering of Anglican clergy and interested persons at the annual meeting. The Rev. Hoani Parata opened the proceedings with prayer, after which ilia Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin dedicated two memorial cots, which bore the following inscription: — “Private Andrew Gray Cowie (A.I.F,), died of wounds in France, March 31, 1917; age thirty-four years. Also Corporal Bertie Shiel Cowie, of Twenty-third Reinforcements, died of wounds in France, October 5, 1917; age twenty-three years. Dedicated by their mother and sisters, Mrs George Thomson and Mrs Hoani Parata."  -Evening Star, 27/10/1921.