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{{About|a British Indian Army soldier|other people of the same name|David Cowan (disambiguation){{!}}David Cowan}}
{{About|a British Indian Army soldier|other people of the same name|David Cowan (disambiguation){{!}}David Cowan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox military person  
{{Infobox military person  
|name=David Tennant Cowan
|name= David Tennant Cowan
|image=The War in the Far East- the Burma Campaign 1941-1945 IND4689.jpg
|image= The War in the Far East- the Burma Campaign 1941-1945 IND4689.jpg
|caption=Major General D T Cowan (centre, wearing spectacles)
|image_size=
|birth_date= 9 October 1896
|alt=
|death_date= 15 April 1983 (aged 86)
|caption= Major General D. T. Cowan (centre, wearing spectacles)
|birth_place= [[Malaga, Spain]]
|nickname= "Punch"
|death_place= [[Winchester]], [[Hampshire]], [[England]]
|birth_date= {{birth date|1896|10|09|df=yes}}
|birth_place= [[Málaga]], Spain
|death_date= {{death date and age|1983|04|15|1896|10|09|df=yes}}
|death_place= [[Winchester]], [[Hampshire]], England
|placeofburial=  
|placeofburial=  
|nickname= "Punch"
|allegiance= United Kingdom
|allegiance= {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|branch= [[British Army]]<br/>[[British Indian Army]]
|branch= [[British Army]]
|serviceyears= 1915–1947
|serviceyears= 1915–1947
|servicenumber=
|rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]]
|rank= [[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]]
|unit= [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]]<br>[[6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles]]
|servicenumber= 13209
|commands= [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Indian Infantry Division]]
|unit= [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]]<br/>[[6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles]]
|battles= [[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]
|commands= [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Indian Infantry Division]]<br/>1st Battalion, [[6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles]]
|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]] [[Medal bar|& Bar]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
|battles= [[First World War]]<br/>[[Second World War]]
|relations=
|awards= [[Companion of the Order of the Bath]]<br/>[[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]<br/>[[Distinguished Service Order]] & [[Medal bar|Bar]]<br/>[[Military Cross]]<br/>[[Mentioned in Despatches]]
|laterwork=
|relations=  
|laterwork=  
}}
}}
[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] '''David Tennant Cowan''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|CB|CBE|DSO1|MC}} (9 October 1896 – 15 April 1983), also known as '''"Punch" Cowan''', was an officer in the [[British Army]] and [[British Indian Army]] during the [[First World War|First]] and [[Second World War]]s. He led the [[17th Infantry Division (India)|17th Indian Infantry Division]] during almost the entire [[Burma campaign]].


[[Major General]] '''David Tennant Cowan''' [[Order of the Bath|CB]], [[Order of the British Empire|CBE]], [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]] [[Medal bar|& Bar]], [[Military Cross|MC]] (9 October 1896 &ndash; 15 April 1983), also known as '''"Punch" Cowan''', was an officer in the [[British Army]] and [[British Indian Army]] in [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. He was distinguished for leading the [[17th Infantry Division (India)|Indian 17th Infantry Division]] during almost the entire [[Burma Campaign]].
==Early career and inter-war years==
Cowan was educated at [[Reading School]] and Glasgow University. He was commissioned into the [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] in 1915. Awarded the [[Military Cross]]<ref>''London Gazette'' 25 August 1916 as a Second Lieutenant</ref> and [[mentioned in despatches]], he was attached to the Indian Army in 1917, his appointment being confirmed in March 1918 whilst serving with the 4th battalion [[3rd Gurkha Rifles]].<ref>''London Gazette'' 26 March 1918</ref> He later joined the [[6th Gurkha Rifles]].


==Early career and inter-war years==
Between the wars, he served on the North-West frontier (where he was again mentioned in despatches for service in [[Waziristan]]) and in various staff positions. From 1932 to 1934, he was the Chief Instructor at the [[Indian Military Academy]] and in 1937 he was once more mentioned in despatches during a further tour of duty in Waziristan. By the outbreak of [[World War II]], he was in command of the 1st Battalion, [[6th Gurkha Rifles]].
Cowan was educated at [[Reading School]] and Glasgow University.  He was commissioned into the [[Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders]] in 1915.  Awarded the [[Military Cross]]<ref>London Gazette 25 August 1916 as a Second Lieutenant</ref> and [[mentioned in despatches]], he was attached to the Indian Army in 1917, his appointment being confirmed in March 1918 whilst serving with the 4th battalion [[3rd Gurkha Rifles]].<ref>London Gazette 26 March 1918</ref> He later joined the [[6th Gurkha Rifles]]. Between the wars, he served on the North-West frontier (where he was again mentioned in despatches for service in [[Waziristan]]) and in various staff positions. From 1932 to 1934, he was the Chief Instructor at the [[Indian Military Academy]] and in 1937 he was once more mentioned in despatches during a further tour of duty in Waziristan. By the outbreak of [[World War II]], he was in command of the 1st Battalion [[6th Gurkha Rifles]].
 
==Field hockey==
Cowan also played field hockey in regimental army teams in United Kingdom and India. He was appointed the captain of the [[India men's national field hockey team|Indian Army national field hockey team]] for their first international tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1926. He also served as the team manager for the tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stick2hockey.com/the-indian-army-hockey-tour-of-new-zealand-1926/|title=The Indian Army hockey tour of New Zealand 1926|website=stick2hockey.com|last=Singh Bahra|first=Diljit|access-date=16 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215214419/https://stick2hockey.com/the-indian-army-hockey-tour-of-new-zealand-1926/|archive-date=15 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Smart |first1=Nicholas |year=2005 |title=Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ogTMDwAAQBAJ&dq=David+Tennant+Cowan+india+hockey&pg=PR127 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=9781783460366 }}</ref>


==World War II==
==Second World War==
He was appointed a General Staff Officer, 1st grade in India from 18 September 1940 to 17 February 1941.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref>
He was appointed a General Staff Officer, 1st grade in India from 18 September 1940 to 17 February 1941.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref>


Appointed acting brigadier, he was Director of Military Training in India from 18 February 1941 to 30 September 1941, then Deputy Director of Military Training in India 1 October 1941 to 14 December 1941, then Director of Military Training in India from 15 December 1941 to 1 March 1942.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref>  
Appointed acting brigadier, he was Director of Military Training in India from 18 February 1941 to 30 September 1941, then deputy director of Military Training in India 1 October 1941 to 14 December 1941, then Director of Military Training in India from 15 December 1941 to 1 March 1942.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref>  
When the [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]] invaded [[Burma]], he was posted to [[Rangoon]], initially as a staff officer in Burma Army HQ with rather ill-defined duties, but was appointed acting Major-General and commander of the [[17th Infantry Division (India)|Indian 17th Infantry Division]] when its previous commander, [[Jackie Smyth]] VC, was relieved after a bridge was blown behind the retreating division and much of it was cut off.
When the [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]] invaded [[Burma]], he was posted to [[Rangoon]], initially as a staff officer in Burma Army HQ with rather ill-defined duties, but was appointed acting Major-General and commander of the [[17th Infantry Division (India)|Indian 17th Infantry Division]] when its previous commander, [[Jackie Smyth]] VC, was relieved after a bridge was blown behind the retreating division and much of it was cut off.


He remained in command of the division for the rest of the [[Burma Campaign]]: during the retreat into India, the fighting around Tiddim in 1943, the [[Battle of Imphal]] in 1944 and the drive into Central Burma in 1945. Early in 1945, his son was killed whilst serving as an officer in Cowan's old unit (1/6 Gurkha Rifles). He fought the decisive [[Battle of Meiktila / Mandalay|Battle of Meiktila]] having suffered this loss, although only a few close friends were aware of it. For his leadership in Burma he was twice awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]]. His army commander, [[William Slim|Bill Slim]], was later to write about Cowan's handling of the Meiktila battle:{{quote|Cowan's handling of this difficult and divided battle was impressive...throughout he was alert to every change in the situation on any sector... his firm grip on his own formations and on the enemy never faltered.{{sfn|Slim|1956|p=447}}}}
He remained in command of the division for the rest of the [[Burma Campaign]]: during the retreat into India, the fighting around Tiddim in 1943, the [[Battle of Imphal]] in 1944 and the drive into Central Burma in 1945. Early in 1945, his son was killed whilst serving as an officer in Cowan's old unit (1/6 Gurkha Rifles). He fought the decisive [[Battle of Meiktila / Mandalay|Battle of Meiktila]] having suffered this loss, although only a few close friends were aware of it. For his leadership in Burma he was twice awarded the [[Distinguished Service Order]]. His army commander, [[William Slim|Bill Slim]], was later to write about Cowan's handling of the Meiktila battle:{{quote|Cowan's handling of this difficult and divided battle was impressive...throughout he was alert to every change in the situation on any sector... his firm grip on his own formations and on the enemy never faltered.{{sfn|Slim|1956|p=447}}}}


He was promoted to the rank of substantive Major-General on 12 February 1945.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> A fine picture of the soldier's life, fighting in his Division, is found in George MacDonald Fraser's memoir "Quartered Safe Out Here" (London, Harvill 1993).
[[File:Major General David Cowan inspects Indian troops in Kure, Japan, 1946.jpg|thumb|left|Major-General David Cowan, General Officer Commanding BRINDIV, inspects Indian troops at [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], 30 March 1946.]]
 
He was promoted to the rank of substantive Major-General on 12 February 1945.<ref>Half Yearly Army List January 1946</ref> A fine picture of the soldier's life, fighting in his Division, is found in George MacDonald Fraser's memoir ''Quartered Safe Out Here'' (London, Harvill 1993).


He was intended to lead the Indian army contingent of the [[Commonwealth Corps]] being tentatively formed to participate in the planned invasion of Japan. The surrender of Japan changed these plans, and Cowan instead led the joint British-Indian division BRINDIV, part of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]], in Japan. In 1947, he handed over command of this force and retired from the army.
He was intended to lead the Indian army contingent of the [[Commonwealth Corps]] being tentatively formed to participate in the planned invasion of Japan. The surrender of Japan changed these plans, and Cowan instead led the joint British-Indian division BRINDIV, part of the [[British Commonwealth Occupation Force]], in Japan. In 1947, he handed over command of this force and retired from the army.
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* Commissioned 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion [[Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders]] (1915)
* Commissioned 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion [[Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders]] (1915)
* Transferred to [[6th Gurkha Rifles]], British Indian Army (1917)
* Transferred to [[6th Gurkha Rifles]], British Indian Army (1917)
* Attended [[Command and Staff College]], [[Quetta]] (1927–1928)
* Attended [[Pakistan Command and Staff College|Command and Staff College]], [[Quetta]] (1927–1928)
* Assistant Military Secretary, [[India]] (1930–1932)
* Assistant Military Secretary, [[India]] (1930–1932)
* Chief Instructor at Indian Military Academy (1932–1934)
* Chief Instructor at Indian Military Academy (1932–1934)
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
==Bibliography==
* {{cite web|url=http://www.generals.dk/general/Cowan/David_Tennant/Great_Britain.html |title=Generals of World War II |accessdate=1 September 2007 |last=Ammentorp|first=Steen }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.generals.dk/general/Cowan/David_Tennant/Great_Britain.html |title=Generals of World War II |accessdate=1 September 2007 |last=Ammentorp|first=Steen }}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.unithistories.com/units_index/default.asp?file=../units_index/documents.asp? |title=World War II unit histories and officers|accessdate=1 September 2007 |last=Houterman |first=Hans|author2=Koppes, Jeroen}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.unithistories.com/units_index/default.asp?file=../units_index/documents.asp? |title=World War II unit histories and officers|accessdate=1 September 2007 |last=Houterman |first=Hans|author2=Koppes, Jeroen}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=15&Tab=App |title=Orders of Battle.com |accessdate=1 September 2007 |last= |first= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031506/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=15&Tab=App |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=15&Tab=App |title=Orders of Battle.com |accessdate=1 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031506/http://www.ordersofbattle.com/PersonData.aspx?PerX=15&Tab=App |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book| first=William| last=Slim| title=Defeat into Victory| location=London| publisher=Cassell| year=1956}}
*{{cite book| first=William| last=Slim| title=Defeat into Victory| location=London| publisher=Cassell| year=1956}}
==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.unithistories.com/officers/IndianArmy_officers_C01.html#Cowan_DT Indian Army Officers 1939−1945]
*[http://www.unithistories.com/officers/IndianArmy_officers_C01.html#Cowan_DT Indian Army Officers 1939–1945]
*[http://www.generals.dk/general/Cowan/David_Tennant/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]
*[http://www.generals.dk/general/Cowan/David_Tennant/Great_Britain.html Generals of World War II]
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Sir John Smyth, 1st Baronet|John Smyth]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[17th Infantry Division (India)|GOC 17th Indian Infantry Division]]|years=1942–1945}}
{{s-aft|after=[[William Alan Crowther (Indian Army officer)|William Alan Crowther]]}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowan, David Tennant}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowan, David Tennant}}
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[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Quetta]]
[[Category:Deputy Lieutenants of Devon]]
[[Category:Deputy Lieutenants of Devon]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Glasgow]]
[[Category:British Indian Army generals]]
[[Category:British people in colonial India]]
[[Category:Indian male field hockey players]]
[[Category:British male field hockey players]]
[[Category:British expatriates in Spain]]

Latest revision as of 07:49, 5 August 2022

This article is about a British Indian Army soldier. For other people of the same name, see David Cowan.
David Tennant Cowan
The War in the Far East- the Burma Campaign 1941-1945 IND4689.jpg
Major General D. T. Cowan (centre, wearing spectacles)
Nickname(s)"Punch"
Born(1896-10-09)9 October 1896
Málaga, Spain
Died15 April 1983(1983-04-15) (aged 86)
Winchester, Hampshire, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service/branchBritish Army
British Indian Army
Years of service1915–1947
RankMajor General
Service number13209
UnitArgyll and Sutherland Highlanders
6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles
Commands held17th Indian Infantry Division
1st Battalion, 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own Gurkha Rifles
Battles/warsFirst World War
Second World War
AwardsCompanion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Distinguished Service Order & Bar
Military Cross
Mentioned in Despatches

Major General David Tennant Cowan, CB, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC (9 October 1896 – 15 April 1983), also known as "Punch" Cowan, was an officer in the British Army and British Indian Army during the First and Second World Wars. He led the 17th Indian Infantry Division during almost the entire Burma campaign.

Early career and inter-war years[edit]

Cowan was educated at Reading School and Glasgow University. He was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in 1915. Awarded the Military Cross[1] and mentioned in despatches, he was attached to the Indian Army in 1917, his appointment being confirmed in March 1918 whilst serving with the 4th battalion 3rd Gurkha Rifles.[2] He later joined the 6th Gurkha Rifles.

Between the wars, he served on the North-West frontier (where he was again mentioned in despatches for service in Waziristan) and in various staff positions. From 1932 to 1934, he was the Chief Instructor at the Indian Military Academy and in 1937 he was once more mentioned in despatches during a further tour of duty in Waziristan. By the outbreak of World War II, he was in command of the 1st Battalion, 6th Gurkha Rifles.

Field hockey[edit]

Cowan also played field hockey in regimental army teams in United Kingdom and India. He was appointed the captain of the Indian Army national field hockey team for their first international tour of New Zealand and Australia in 1926. He also served as the team manager for the tour.[3][4]

Second World War[edit]

He was appointed a General Staff Officer, 1st grade in India from 18 September 1940 to 17 February 1941.[5]

Appointed acting brigadier, he was Director of Military Training in India from 18 February 1941 to 30 September 1941, then deputy director of Military Training in India 1 October 1941 to 14 December 1941, then Director of Military Training in India from 15 December 1941 to 1 March 1942.[6] When the Japanese invaded Burma, he was posted to Rangoon, initially as a staff officer in Burma Army HQ with rather ill-defined duties, but was appointed acting Major-General and commander of the Indian 17th Infantry Division when its previous commander, Jackie Smyth VC, was relieved after a bridge was blown behind the retreating division and much of it was cut off.

He remained in command of the division for the rest of the Burma Campaign: during the retreat into India, the fighting around Tiddim in 1943, the Battle of Imphal in 1944 and the drive into Central Burma in 1945. Early in 1945, his son was killed whilst serving as an officer in Cowan's old unit (1/6 Gurkha Rifles). He fought the decisive Battle of Meiktila having suffered this loss, although only a few close friends were aware of it. For his leadership in Burma he was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Order. His army commander, Bill Slim, was later to write about Cowan's handling of the Meiktila battle:

Cowan's handling of this difficult and divided battle was impressive...throughout he was alert to every change in the situation on any sector... his firm grip on his own formations and on the enemy never faltered.[7]

Major-General David Cowan, General Officer Commanding BRINDIV, inspects Indian troops at Kure, 30 March 1946.

He was promoted to the rank of substantive Major-General on 12 February 1945.[8] A fine picture of the soldier's life, fighting in his Division, is found in George MacDonald Fraser's memoir Quartered Safe Out Here (London, Harvill 1993).

He was intended to lead the Indian army contingent of the Commonwealth Corps being tentatively formed to participate in the planned invasion of Japan. The surrender of Japan changed these plans, and Cowan instead led the joint British-Indian division BRINDIV, part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, in Japan. In 1947, he handed over command of this force and retired from the army.

Career summary[edit]

  • Commissioned 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders (1915)
  • Transferred to 6th Gurkha Rifles, British Indian Army (1917)
  • Attended Command and Staff College, Quetta (1927–1928)
  • Assistant Military Secretary, India (1930–1932)
  • Chief Instructor at Indian Military Academy (1932–1934)
  • General Staff Officer 2, India, Waziristan (1936–1938)
  • Commanding Officer 1st Battalion 6th Gurkha Rifles (1939–1940)
  • General Staff Officer 1, India (1940–1941)
  • Deputy Director of Military Training, India (1941–1942)
  • General Officer Commanding Indian 17th Infantry Division, Burma (1942)
  • General Officer Commanding 17th Indian Light Division, Burma (1942–1944)
  • General Officer Commanding 17th Indian Division, Burma (1944–1945)
  • General Officer Commanding Force152 (1945)
  • General Officer Commanding BRINJAP Division, Japan (1945–1947)
  • Retired (1947)

References[edit]

  1. ↑ London Gazette 25 August 1916 as a Second Lieutenant
  2. ↑ London Gazette 26 March 1918
  3. ↑ Singh Bahra, Diljit. "The Indian Army hockey tour of New Zealand 1926". stick2hockey.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  4. ↑ Smart, Nicholas (2005). Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War. Casemate Publishers. ISBN 9781783460366.
  5. ↑ Half Yearly Army List January 1946
  6. ↑ Half Yearly Army List January 1946
  7. ↑ Slim 1956, p. 447.
  8. ↑ Half Yearly Army List January 1946

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

Military offices
Preceded by
John Smyth 		GOC 17th Indian Infantry Division
1942–1945 		Succeeded by
William Alan Crowther
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