World War I Victoria Cross recipient. Born in Baghdad, Mesopotamia, Iraq and served as a Lieutenant Commander, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. On the night of April 25, 1916 in Mesopotamia, he was in command of an attempt to re-supply the forces besieged by the Turkish at Kut-el-Amara. He with the crew of the SS Julnar started off with 270 tons of stores up the River Tigris when the ship was attacked by machinegun and artillery fire. They managed to continue but at Magasis, steel hawsers stretched across the river and halted the expedition. The enemy opened fire at point-blank range and the Julnar's bridge was smashed, killing the ship's captain and several of the crew. Lieutenant Commander Cowley was taken prisoner with the other survivors and executed by the Turks. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on February 2, 1917.
World War I Victoria Cross recipient. Born in Baghdad, Mesopotamia, Iraq and served as a Lieutenant Commander, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. On the night of April 25, 1916 in Mesopotamia, he was in command of an attempt to re-supply the forces besieged by the Turkish at Kut-el-Amara. He with the crew of the SS Julnar started off with 270 tons of stores up the River Tigris when the ship was attacked by machinegun and artillery fire. They managed to continue but at Magasis, steel hawsers stretched across the river and halted the expedition. The enemy opened fire at point-blank range and the Julnar's bridge was smashed, killing the ship's captain and several of the crew. Lieutenant Commander Cowley was taken prisoner with the other survivors and executed by the Turks. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on February 2, 1917.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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