Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Newspaper article ex TROVE

Mr. J. E. Howell, of Lockleys, father of Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Milton Rowell, and Colonel James Rowell, his uncle, were officially informed by the Military Department on Tuesday at noon that a cablegram had been received giving news of the death of Lieutenant Colonel F. M. Rowell. The cause of death was not definitely stated, but peritonitis was mentioned, and it is supposed that it was caused by wounds received at the front.

Lieutenant Colonel F. M. Rowell was one of the best-known military men in South Australia, having been connected with the forces from his youth, in which respect he followed the example of his father and trade.  He was about 39 years of age, and when the South Australian component of the First Expeditionary Force was brought into existence Lieutenant-Colonel Rowell was given the command of the Light Horse Regiment, which has, however, since reaching Egypt, been converted into an infantry battalion. His experience of military work had extended over the best part of his life, and for years he had held a commission before being promoted to lieutenant-colonel in charge of the 22nd Light Horse Regiment, which gathers its members from all parts of the South-East, the Yankalilla and Reynella districts. This was his command when he was selected to take control of the Light Horse contingent which left here with the famous 10th Regiment for Egypt. After his arrival in Egypt he distinguished himself so much that when Colonel Chauvel, who had charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, in which the 3rd Light Horse Regiment was embodied, had to be invalided to England the South Australian officer was selected to take his place, and he continued to lead the brigade until his withdrawal was forced by the injuries which have resulted in his death.

Lieutenant-Colonel Rowell had previous experience of actual warfare in South Africa, where he served with the South Australian contingent for about two years, during which time he was engaged in active fighting in Cape Colony, the Transvaal, and Orange River- Colony, and also in more severe engagements in Johannesburg, Pretoria, at Diamondy Hill and Belfast. As a reward for his distinguished services in that war, at which time lie held the rank of Captain, he was given the Queen's medal with five clasps and the King's medal with two. Upon the conclusion of hostilities in South Africa Lieutenant-Colonel Rowell became a member of Colonel Henry's Imperial Staff, which was stationed there for nearly l8 months, and before returning to South Australia he went to England as a member of the colonial troops to take part in the festivities and ceremonies connected with the Coronation of King Edward. 

When he carne back to his native country he settled down here, and later was appointed senior inspector in the Horticultural Department, under Mr. George Quinn, and he was carrying out the duties of that office when called upon to assume commandof the Light Horse now serving on Gallipoli Peninsula as infantry. Few men had more friends than Lieutenant Colonel Rowell, aud the news of his death was received with profound regret in Adelaide yesterday. Lieutenant-Colonel Rowell while in Egypt proved his soldierly qualities by the skilful and coherent manner in which he supervised the training of his men. Officers and troopers were alike devoted to him, and they followed him with alacrity when he went to the Dardanelles. Practically all of them volunteered to serve as infantry men, and in the campaign against the Turks they fought with the utmost confidence under his leadership. He was a splendid officer - cool though intrepid and he greatly distinguished himself on the Gallipoli Peninsula. His death is a distinct loss to the Australian Military Forces, and more especially to the contingent sent from this State, and it will be deeply deplored by those who had the honor to serve under him. He was an ideal soldier, and his heart was in his work.

He left a widow, formerly Miss Stanford, of Fulham, but no children. Colonel James Rowell and his brother received many messages of sympathy during the afternoon when the news of the gallant officer's death became known.