Richard John COWLES

Regimental number60907
Date of birth31 December 1895
Place of birthTimaru
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationPloughman
Marital statusSingle
Height5' 9.5"
Weight136 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs M H Cowles, Upper Waitohi, Temuka
Previous military service16 years Volunteer service
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 30th Reinforcements, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, C Company
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT No 93 Corinthic on 13 October 1917
Discharge date5 March 1920
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked Wellington, 13 October 1917; disembarked Liverpool, England, 8 December 1917, and marched in to 4th Reserve Bn, Canterbury Infantry Regiment, Camp Sling.

Proceeded overseas to France, 14 February 1918; joined 1st Bn, in the field, 22 February 1918, and posted to 1st Company.

Wounded in action, 28 March 1918 (gun shot wound, right thigh: fractured femur); admitted to No 1 NZ Field Ambulance, 29 March 1918; transferred same day to 56th Casualty Clearing Station; to No 1 Canadian General Hospital, 30 March 1918; to England, 2 June 1918, and admitted to No 2 NZ General Hospital, Walton-on-Thames; placed on 'seriously ill' list, 19 June 1918; removed from 'seriously ill' list, 26 June 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Southampton, 28 August 1918; transshipped at Marseilles to HS 'Maheno'; discharged (no longer physically fit for War Service on account of wounds received in action), 5 March 1920.

Total war service: 2 years 244 days (of which 1 year 10 days was abroad)

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsParents: Francis Charles (b. England) and Margaret (b. Scotland) Cowles
Date of death4 October 1965 Timaru
Age at death69
SourcesNominal Roll Vol. 3: Roll 72, p. 11
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805