Private James Cowan

Private James Cowan, 2nd/10th ( Cyclists ) Battalion, Royal Scots. He died on Service in East Lothian on 22nd August 1917 aged 45. He was born in Galashiels in 1872 and was the son of the late Thomas and Marion Cowan of Galashiels He was the husband of Margaret Cowan of 6 Bleachfield Road, Selkirk and is buried in Selkirk Cemetery. He had been a hairdresser in Selkirk for 20 years before enlisting in Berwick-upon-Tweed. His Battalion was on coastal defence duties near North Berwick when he and two comrades got into difficulties whilst swimming and drowned.