Thomas Cowan & half a life of soldiering

I’m poring over Thomas Cowan’s four-page service record that arrived a couple of days ago.

He joined up in 1860 to take the Queen’s shilling for 12 years – although what he actually got was “Two pounds and a free kit“. He was a 23 year old coal miner at the time – all six of the Cowan boys were down the pits, a brutal and badly-paid occupation.  I imagine the recruiting sergeants coming to the pit heads looking for likely recruits who’d swell the ranks of the lately depleted Army in India were met with open arms. Peter Bailey of Fibis tells me that

After the Indian Mutiny of  1857-1858/9, the European soldiers of the East India Company’s arnies were offered a choice to leave, with a bounty, or transfer to the British Army. About half transferred – but this left the remaining regiments a bit short of soldiers. Accordingly, fresh recruits were needed.

The second page is the meat of the record and would have accompanied Thomas throughout his 21 years in the Army. It reads a bit like one huge puzzle added to by many hands (and handwriting).

One thing that puzzles me is that on enlistment at Glasgow in July of 1860, the page says Regiment – Artillery, H.M.’s I. Forces. Which would suggest that he joined up specifically to go out to India. By Boxing Day, he’s arrived in India (the journey by sail or steamship would have taken two or three months).

1863 has some mystifying entries.  He’s listed as being with the 17 Brigade Royal Artillery and in August of that year, the entry for 1 August reads Volunteered for the British Army. Wait a minute, you mean he wasn’t in the British Army already? Anything with H.M. in front of it (then or now) means His or Her Majesty and when he enlisted, there’s the H.M.  He can’t have been part of the HEIC, because that was effectively taken apart after the Mutiny. This document is obviously going to raise as many questions as it gives answers.

Then in November of that year, there is a comment written down the side of the page which reads Elected Indian Pension Regulations 10th November 1863. Did he plan to remain in India after his 12 years were up and be discharged to pension in India rather than to Chelsea?

In 1864, in Fort St George, Madras, he married Anne Brown, the daughter of another soldier, Samuel Brown. This was the very first record I ever found for him, back in the days of the old India House.

Three years later, his military history sheet shows that he was transferred back to England for 7 months.  However, this is contradicted by the main record page, where it looks as if he moved from India straight to Cape Town, South Africa, where he remained for a year.  He had by now completed eight of his twelve years, but in April of 1869 comes the entry Reingaged(sic) at Cape Town to complete 21 yrs. I know of no conflict in South Africa at that time that would involve the Artillery of the British Army, but this is something I must check.

Later that year, any plans he may have had to remain in India seem to be dashed.  He’s transferred back to England and remains in various locations there until, at Fort Matilda in Greenock, not so far from his old home, he’s discharged from service, having served a full 21 years.

This studio photograph of some of the family was taken, I’m guessing, not long after he returned to Lanarkshire and to the pits.  (Note: this picture card is in appalling condition – maybe one day I’ll try to restore it) His bearing still looks somewhat military – indeed, on enlistment, his height is given as 5′8″ and a quarter of an inch while on discharge he’s gained another quarter and is now 5′8″ 1/2 – perhaps he wore different boots!

Going back to life in the pits aged 44 can’t have been a picnic (especially with 13 children to support) and he died thirteen years later from heart disease.  A careful note on his death certificate states that he was Coal Miner and Army Pensioner. I’m glad at least on the very last record of him, his Army service isn’t forgotten.