McGOWAN  Eugene

Service Number : 179 2nd Light Horse A Squadron

Born : 23rd July 1888 Woodhill  

Died : 22nd May 1915 Quinn’s Post, Gallipoli   (26 years 9 months 29 days) 

Buried : Beach Cemetery, Gallipoli

Parents : Owen and Sarah nee Gilhool

Enlisted : 21st August 1914 in Brisbane 

Embarked : 24th September 1914 A15 Star of England

Medals :       1914-15 Star                 3234

British War Medal            698                                              

Victory Medal                  655

Memorial Plaque         319006

Connection : Born in Woodhill,   Listed on the Jimboomba Honour Board 

Memorials :   Beaudesert War Memorial.                       

                   Jimboomba District Roll of Honour

                    Logan Village Museum Honour Roll           

                    Virtual War Memorial Australia 

                    Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour     

                    Breach Cemetery ANZAC Cove.

                    Discovering ANZACS National Library Australia

                    Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour 

                   The Soldiers & Nurses of the Beaudesert District in WW1 (1914-1919) David Mason 

Special Memorial :  Grave No. 4 Chaplain G Green Officiated.  Headstone inscription reads :  In Memory of the dearly loved son of Mrs McGowan of Beaudesert.  

Eugene had previously served with the Beaudesert Light Horse for about 3 years. 

 

       

McGOWAN John Joseph    

Service Number : 2943 49th A.I.F.

Born : abt 1883 Sligo, Ireland

Died : 30 Jul 1952 Queensland, Australia

Buried :  Unknown

Aged :  69 years

Parents : Owen and Sarah nee Gilhool

 Enlisted :                   5th September 1916 in Brisbane 

Embarked :                 27th October 1916 Marathon from Brisbane 

Armistice Day  1918 :   Hospital France

Returned to Australia :  9th December 1918 Argyleshire

 Medals :   British War Medal                         24299

                 Victory Medal                                23498

                 Military Medal Gazetted 6th August 1918

 

 Connection :  Pioneer Family of Jimboomba/Woodhill

Memorial :      Beaudesert War Memorial                                                   

                    Logan Village Museum Honour Roll

                    Virtual War Memorial Australia                                         

                      Discovering ANZACS National Library Australia

                    The Soldiers & Nurses of the Beaudesert District in WW1 (1914-1919) David Mason

 Military Medal : 

“In the operation on 5th April 1918, near DERNANCOURT South West of ALBERT this soldier was the only one of his team who reached the final position.  Immediately on arrive there, he put his gun into position and with commendable bravery and coolness worked it single-handed in the face of fierce enemy Machine Gun and Rifle Fire.  He and his gun were twice buried.  When he was dug out, he secured his gun, clearned it, and continued to work it.  A great amount of credit is due to this soldier for this undoubted courage, coolness and good spirits which went far towards cheering up all those who came into contact with him.” 

Source :  Commonwealth Gazette No. 191  Date 12th December 1918.

  Tried by Field General Court Martial, 23 July 1918 on charge of deserting His Majesty’s Services from 8 pm, 5 July until reporting back on 9 July 1918:  found guilty;  awarded 2 years imprisonment with hard labour.  Sentence suspended 4 August 1918.