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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Henry William Cowie

In memory of:

Lance Bombardier Henry William Cowie

October 18, 1944

Military Service


Service Number:

C/781

Age:

21

Force:

Army

Unit:

Royal Canadian Artillery

Division:

14 Field Regiment

Additional Information


Son of Alexander and Margaret Cowie; Husband of Mary Cowie, of Wallsend-on-Tyne, Northumberland, England.

Commemorated on Page 281 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

VII. A. 8.

Location:

Adegem Canadian War Cemetery is located midway between Brugge (17 km) and Gent (26 km) on the N9 which connects the two towns. From Brugge, Adegem is approached via Sijsele and Maldegem. On reaching Adegem, the cemetery is located on the Prins Boudewijn Laan, on the right-hand side of the N9. In the last week of September 1944, the Allies held the city of Antwerp, but the Germans held both shores of the Scheldt estuary, so that the port of Antwerp could not be used. The task of clearing the southern shore of the estuary was allotted to the 3rd Canadian Division, aided by the 4th Canadian Armoured Division and the 52nd Division. Their operations lasted from October until the beginning of November 1944. By 3rd November the Germans had been cleared from the north-west corner of Belgium and the south shore of the Scheldt was free. There had been fierce fighting for two weeks for the crossing of the Leopold Canal. The majority of the men buried at Adegem died during the operations for the clearance of the south bank of the Scheldt; but many Canadians who lost their lives elsewhere in Belgium were also brought here for burial.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Henry William Cowie– This is Henry William Cowie on his farm in Heckston, Ontario. The last picture taken of him before entering the war.  He was seventeen in 1938.
  • Henry William Cowie, photo 2– Henry William Cowie - 1943
  • Entrance– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Cross of Sacrifice– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens
  • Grave marker– Photo submitted by Marg Liessens

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