Cowan John Richley Fusilier 4276641
Personnel Entry
Name Cowan John Richley
Army number 4276641
Rank Fusilier
Decorations None known.
Date of birth Birth registered 1920, mother's maiden surname Richley.
Age 23 at the time of his death.
Unit Enlisted in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Posted to the 9th Battalion. Served B.E.F.? Served Malaya. DIED 2/7/1943 whilst a prisoner of the Japanese.
Company/Battery Y Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Not yet known.
Joined Brigade
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not so far as is known.
Prisoner of War Yes - captured 15/2/1942 at Singapore when the force was surrendered.
Died/Killed in action DIED 2/7/1943 at Tarsoa, Siam. Cause of death - Dysentery. Buried initially in Grave 191/1 at Tarsoa No. 1 Cemetery. Re-interred 1/2/1946 in Grave 4.G.16 at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Headstone inscription reads:- "IN LOVING MEMORY. YEARS PASS BUT MEMORIES STAY, AS NEAR AND DEAR AS YESTERDAY".
Home address Son of Matthew and Dorothy Cowan of Inhoe, Matfen, Northumberland.
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