COWELL, John William Pte. 15644

John William Cowell

John William Cowell

John William Cowell was known as ‘Will’ and married Mary Alice Coupe (known as Polly) at St. Mary’s Church on the 14th October 1914; they had no children and lived at 81 Anderton Street in Chorley.

He worked as a Collier at Ellerbeck Colliery and attended St. Mary’s Church.

Will Cowell was killed in action on the 1st July 1916, aged 26 and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.

His name was only recorded in 1983 on Addendum Pier 4C.

In September 2003 his razor was found on the Somme battlefield at Serre, in front of the old front line and close to Queens Cemetery.

Will Cowell's razor found on the Somme battlefield at Serre in 2003.

Will Cowell's razor found on the Somme battlefield at Serre in 2003.