Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Eric William Cowley was born on the 29 January, 1891, at Tintaldra, Victoria. At the time of his birth his father, Percy (1861 to 1948) was 30, and his mother, Louisa Francis (1864 to 1943), was 26. Eric was one of ten children born to this couple. His siblings, in order of birth were; Norman Percy (1886 to 1916), Kate Francis (1888 to 1972), Leile Marian (1889 to 1890), Amy Lillian (1892 to 1921), Jack Gordon (1894 to 1962), Vera Marion (1896 to 1984), Madge Mayor (1900 to 1987), Annie Constance (1902 to 1994) and Jean Battye (1907 to 1996).

On the 27 July, 1915, Eric enlisted in the 11th Reinforcement of the 2nd Light Horse, being given the service number 1488. At the time he was living at Dungay, Murwillumbah in New South Wales, was 24 years of age, single and an inspector of stock. Like many men enlisting in the 1st AIF, he gave his religion as Church of England.

Eric embarked on HMAT A47 Mashobra on the 4 October, 1915, sailing from Sydney, New South Wales. The trip would take him across the Great Australian Bight to Fremantle, on to Colombo, in Ceylon, before finally disembarking at Suez, at the southern end of the Suez Canal.

Not much is know of Eric’s service during World War 1 as his records have been amalgamated with his World War 2 service records. It is known that he returned on the 15 February, 1918. Reports from newspapers do provide us with some information regarding Eric’s movements. Both the Northern Star (Lismore), of Tuesday 5 September 1916 and the Sydney Morning Herald, of the following Wednesday, provide us with the approximate date of Eric’s first wound when both papers list him among those who have been wounded in action. The Queenslander of Saturday 12 January 1918 lists under “Wounded”, Lance Corporal Eric William Cowley, Murwillumbah, N.S.W. (2nd occ.), while the Darling Downs Gazette of Thursday 21 March 1918, reports “A contingent of invalid soldiers was expected to land in Sydney yesterday, and a number of Queenslanders was to have left by special train for the north during the afternoon.” Lance Corporal Eric William Cowley, 2nd L.H. was listed as one of the soldiers travelling north.

The Monday 18 October, 1915, edition of the Tweed Daily (Murwillumbah, NSW) ran an article describing how the Tick Department on the North Coast has just been opened at the principal office in Lismore. It goes on to mention that “although the names of those who have enlisted are simple typewritten and the sheet of paper is tacked on to the wall, that Roll of Honor stands for just as much as the most costly memorial … when it is taken into consideration that of the original staff of single men only twelve are left - and some of those have offered but have been rejected - it will be seen that the Tick department has every reason to be proud of its officers.” One of those listed on the Roll was Eric. It is clear from this report that before enlisting Eric was involved with the control and eradication of cattle tick in the northeast of NSW.

The Tuesday 14 October, 1924, edition of the Northern Star provides information that Eric was the president of the Ballina Sub-branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia.

In 1925, at Kyogle, New South Wales, Eric married Martha Muriel Simpkins (1900 to 1961). It is known that they had at least two children during their marriage; two sons, William Gordon (1926 to ?) and Robert Eric (1933 to 2012). From the time of their marriage to at least 1937, Eric and his family lived in Richmond, New South Wales before moving to Parramatta, New South Wales sometime prior to 1943.

The Northern Star of Saturday 1 July, 1939, reports in” TENTERFIELD, Friday, At the Tenterfield bowling green opportunity was taken to say farewell to Mr. E. W. Cowley who has been appointed chief impounding officer to the Waringah Shire. Presentations were made by members of the Bowling Club, Tenterfield sub-branch of the Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia and the Municipal Council.

On 28 August, 1941, Eric once again served his country by enlisting in the military. This time he joined the CMF (Citizens Military Force) at the Paddington Recruiting Depot and was given the service number N279877.

Eric passed away on the 16 September, 1962, at Concord Hospital in Sydney, NSW.

Extract from "Light Horsemen of the Upper Murray", Year 5 and 6 Project, Corryong College.