Corporal
William Percival Graham Cowan (known as Graham)
was born in Bailieborough on 1st May 1897 to William John Cowan, Bank Clerk and Emily Caroline Cowan nee Dobson. He was baptised on 30th September 1897 at St James', Halifax, York.
In 1901, Graham was living in house 17, Deramore Avenue, Belfast with his parents. His father's occupation is described as a Bank Cashier.
By 1911, Graham was living in house 62, Main Street, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan with his parents and a servant, Mary Reynolds Boyle. His father's occupation is now described as a Bank Manager.
Graham joined Northern Bank on 14th April 1914 at Head office.
Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast
Transfers followed to Bailieborough (1914 - Junior), Virginia (1915 - Junior) and Ramelton (1915 - Junior).
Northern Bank, Virginia branch
Northern Bank, Ramelton branch
Whilst based in Ramelton, Graham volunteered for war service on 11th November 1915 (aged 18) into the North Irish Horse as a Private with Service Number 1993. He saw service with the British Expeditionary Force, transferring later the 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 41532. He was posted to Cadet School, Ripon in 1918 and promoted to Corporal. Graham saw action in Cambrai 1917, Havrincourt 1917 and with the Allied Advance 1918.
Graham was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War.
W P M Cowan - Medal Roll
Following demobilisation on 18th February 1919, Graham re-joined the Bank in Dungannon as Cashier. Transfers followed to Head Office (1922 - Stock & Coupon Department), Shaftesbury Square (1931 - Teller) and Irvinestown (1933 - Pro Manager at Kesh sub branch / agency).
Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast branch
Graham married Georgina (Ina) Richardson on 7th July 1926 at Dungannon. There are some Ancestry public family photographs are attached below.
He resigned from the bank on 12th October 1934 and later set up as a 'tobacconist and confectioner' at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast.
Shop & house (above) at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast (Courtesy of Google Earth)
Graham was a member of Shandon park Golf Club and was President of the Belfast and Northern Ireland Retail Confectioners' Association.
The Belfast Telegraph published on 4th September 1944 reported that Mr W P G Cowan had presented wallets of money to residents of the 'Earl Haig Ex-Servicemen's Colony, Cregagh, Belfast. Further information on the 'Cregagh Colony' can be accessed in these links:
Belfast Telegraph - 4th September 1944
Graham Cowan died on 24th May 1961 at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast. he is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. His 'Will Extract' reads:
'Cowan, William Percival Graham of 49 Cregagh Road Belfast tobacconist and confectioner died 24 May 1961 at Forster Green Hospital Belfast Administration W/A Belfast 25 October to Georgina Cowan the widow. Effects £5778 11s. 3d.'.
Ina and Graham Cowan labelled as at Coalisland 1921
Cowan wedding 7th July 1926, x, Graham C, Ina, Aileen R, Eileen C
Ina & Graham Cowan with their housekeeper, Madge Trimble
Dorothy Marshall, Dick M, X, Y, Ina, Graham at Cowan's
Further information can be found in the excellent North Irish Horse website.
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