Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Captain Edward Richard Sowter (1910–1992)

Born: 26 May 1910, Barnack, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

Died: 10 October 1992 (aged 82), Tennyson Nursing Home, Adelaide, South Australia

Burial: Enfield Memorial Park, Clearview, South Australia — Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row LT, Site 4

Early Life in England

Edward Richard Sowter was born on 26 May 1910 in the historic parish of Barnack, Cambridgeshire, England, the eldest child of Edward William Sowter, a baker, and Annie Louise King. His childhood years were spent in England, but the family sought new opportunities abroad in the years following the First World War.

Migration to Australia

In the early 1920s, the Sowter family migrated to Australia aboard the SS Turakina (New Zealand Shipping Company). Passenger records list Edward William Sowter, his wife Annie, and their children Edward Richard, Ronald, and Margaret.

The family settled in Scottsdale, Tasmania, where Edward William worked as a baker. The children were raised in the busy township, surrounded by both church and community life. Scottsdale would remain the family's anchor throughout the interwar years.

Education and Teaching Career

Edward proved academically capable, studying for and completing a Bachelor of Arts degree. He entered the Tasmanian Department of Education and became a teacher. By the late 1930s, he had secured a post at the New Town Commercial High School, Hobart, serving as a mathematical master. His profession reflected his analytical mind and a commitment to educating the next generation.

Marriage to Emily Pauline Annette MacFarlane (1916–1971)

On 25 November 1939, Edward married Emily Pauline Annette MacFarlane, eldest daughter of Rev. William Harold MacFarlane, rector of Scottsdale, and Alexandra Gwendoline Hosken, at St. Barnabas' Anglican Church, Scottsdale.

The ceremony was conducted by the bride's father. Bridesmaids included Margaret MacFarlane and Margaret Sowter, while Edward's brother Ronald Sowter was best man. Pauline was a trained nurse, who had worked at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the North-Eastern Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Scottsdale.

The couple began married life in Hobart, where Edward continued teaching.

Military Service – World War II

With the onset of the Second World War, Edward enlisted.

Service Number: TX6208
Enlistment (AIF): 10 September 1942, Hobart, Tasmania
Unit: 13th Australian Anti-Aircraft Battery (later attached to the 24th Aust A.A. Battery and AA training schools)
Rank progression: Lieutenant (1941), Temporary Captain (1941), confirmed Captain (1943)
Service areas: Tasmania, New South Wales, New Guinea
Discharge: 19 July 1945

Service Career

Edward trained at the Anti-Aircraft School of Artillery, Sydney, and later commanded and instructed men in Tasmania, New South Wales, and Port Moresby, New Guinea.

While in New Guinea he received a Severe Reprimand (Jan 1944) for neglecting to obey an order, a reminder of the strict discipline of wartime service. In April 1945 his medical classification was downgraded, and he was declared unfit for overseas service.

Edward was discharged on 19 July 1945 with the rank of Captain and placed on the Reserve of Officers. His wife Pauline received a Female Relative's Badge (No. 179396) in recognition of his service.

Later Life

After the war Edward returned to teaching and continued to serve the community through education. In later years he resided in South Australia, living at Merlin Road, Fulham Gardens.

Edward died on 10 October 1992, aged 82, at the Tennyson Nursing Home, Adelaide. He was cremated and placed in Enfield Memorial Park, Clearview, South Australia.

Legacy

Captain Edward Richard Sowter is remembered as a teacher, soldier, and husband, whose life journey took him from a small English parish to a respected place in Tasmanian and South Australian society. His story reflects the experience of many migrants: the pursuit of education, service in wartime, and the building of new roots in Australia.

Spouses

Emily Pauline Annette MacFarlane (1916–1971) — married 25 Nov 1939, Scottsdale, Tasmania. Nurse. Died Burnie, Tasmania, 5 Jan 1971.
Alice Louise Elizabeth Hansen (d. 1 Jan 1970) — second wife, later cremated at Centennial Park Crematorium, South Australia.

Biography by Trevor Pyatt 26/08/2025