Sidney Edward Cowan MC & Two Bars (23 August 1897 – 17 November 1916) was an Irish World War I

flying ace A flying ace, fighter ace or air ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down five or more enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The exact number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an ace is varied, but is usually co ...

credited with seven aerial victories.

Biography

Cowan was born in Downpatrick, Ireland, the youngest son of P. C. Cowan, Chief Engineering Inspector of the Local Government Board for Ireland. He was educated at Castle Park,

Dalkey Dalkey ( ; ) is an affluent suburb of Dublin, and a seaside resort southeast of the city, and the town of Dún Laoghaire, in the county of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown in the historic County Dublin, Ireland. It was founded as a Viking settlement ...

Marlborough College Marlborough College is a Public school (United Kingdom), public school (English Independent school (United Kingdom), independent boarding school) for pupils aged 13 to 18 in Marlborough, Wiltshire, England. Founded in 1843 for the sons of Church ...

, and

Trinity College, Dublin , name_Latin = Collegium Sanctae et Individuae Trinitatis Reginae Elizabethae juxta Dublin , motto = ''Perpetuis futuris temporibus duraturam'' (Latin) , motto_lang = la , motto_English = It will last i ...

. On 23 August 1915 (his 18th birthday) Cowan was awarded Aviators Certificate No. 1639 after flying a Maurice Farman biplane at the Military School at

Brooklands Brooklands was a motor racing circuit and aerodrome built near Weybridge in Surrey, England, United Kingdom. It opened in 1907 and was the world's first purpose-built 'banked' motor racing circuit as well as one of Britain's first airfields, ...

, and the same day was commissioned as a probationary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He was appointed a flying officer on 14 October, and confirmed in his rank on 2 November. Cowan was an original member of No. 24 Squadron from its formation on 1 September 1915. Between 4 May and 16 September 1916, Cowan used an

Airco DH.2 The Airco DH.2 was a single-seat pusher biplane fighter aircraft which operated during the First World War. It was the second pusher design by aeronautical engineer Geoffrey de Havilland for Airco, based on his earlier DH.1 two-seater. The d ...

to destroy four enemy aircraft and drive down two more out of control.Guttman & Dempsey (2009), p. 34. On 1 October he was appointed a flight commander, and promoted to the acting rank of captain. He was then transferred to No. 29 Squadron, and scored once more on 17 November 1916, driving down a

Halberstadt D.II The Halberstadt D.II was a biplane fighter aircraft developed and manufactured by German aircraft company Halberstädter Flugzeugwerke. It was adopted by the ''Luftstreitkräfte'' (Imperial German Army Air Service) and served through the period ...

out of control. As he strove to attack a second German machine, he collided with another British aircraft. Both pilots were killed. Originally listed as "

missing Missing or The Missing may refer to: Film * ''Missing'' (1918 film), an American silent drama directed by James Young * ''Missing'' (1982 film), an American historical drama directed by Costa-Gavras * ''Missing'' (2007 film) (''Vermist''), a Bel ...

" it was not until April 1917 that his grave was reported as being discovered, Cowan having been buried by the Germans at the cemetery at

Ablainzevelle Ablainzevelle is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. Geography A small farming village located 11 miles (18 km) south of Arras, at the D7 and D12 road junction. It was rebuilt after being destroyed during World War ...

. He was later re-interred at the British War Cemetery at

Cagnicourt Cagnicourt () is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais ''département'' in the Hauts-de-France region of France. Geography A farming village located 11 miles (18 km) southeast of Arras at the junction of the D13 with the D14E. Population Place ...

Honours and awards

;Military Cross :Second Lieutenant Sidney Edward Cowan, RFC. :For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He dived on to an enemy machine in the enemy's lines and drove it to the ground, where it was smashed, and then circled round and fired at the pilot and observer as they ran for shelter. Although forced to land through his engine stopping he contrived to restart it and got back under heavy fire. ;Bar to Military Cross :Second Lieutenant Sidney Edward Cowan, MC, RFC. :For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has done fine work in aerial combats, and has shot down four enemy machines. ;2nd Bar to Military Cross :Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Sidney Edward Cowan, MC, RFC. :For conspicuous gallantry in action. He fought a long contest with seven enemy machines, finally bringing one down in flames. He has displayed great skill and gallantry throughout.

References

;Notes ;Bibliography * {{DEFAULTSORT:Cowan, Sidney 1897 births 1910s missing person cases 1916 deaths Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in France British military personnel killed in World War I British World War I flying aces Missing in action of World War I People educated at Marlborough College People from Downpatrick Recipients of the Military Cross Royal Flying Corps officers

Biography

Honours and awards

See also

References