Lance Corporal Harold Cowgill of the Prince of Wales's Own, West Yorkshire Regt. (Bradford Pals) was the son of Mr and Mrs W.H. Cowgill of 37 Hartley St. Nelson.

Before joining the Army on 1st June 1915, he was living at 19 Bath St. Nelson and employed as a weaver.

As Private Cowgill, he was awarded the Certificate of Merit for 'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty', during fierce fighting on 3rd May 1917.

'He repeatedly went forward through very heavy enemy shellfire, machine gun fire and persistent fire from snipers, to tend and carry in the wounded. He fearlessly continued this work during the whole day and the following night, acting throughout regardless of personal danger'
Lt.-Col. Commanding West Yorkshire Regiment.

Lance Corporal Cowgill was also awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for 'gallantry and distinguished conduct in the field'. The citation read:
'This NCO displayed great gallantry and initiative during our attack. At one moment an enemy machine gun was about to fire when with the utmost promptitude he rushed the gun, killing the gunner and scattering the detachment, who were subsequently made prisoners. The advance then progressed. The next day, though very severely wounded by a shell in the chest and the legs, he continued to command his section until he became unconscious. His cool courage and fine leadership contributed largely to the rapidity and success of the advance'.

Lance Corporal Cowgill died of his wounds, age 20, on the 2nd July 1918 in hospital in Boulogne, France.

He is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille at the Commonwealth War Graves

Memorial Ref: I.D. 3 and is also remembered on the Roll of Honour at St. John's church.

Harold was one of only two RAF personnel connected with St John's.

Harold, born in Barrowford in 1894, was the son of Mary Alice SPEAK.
In 1911 he was 16 year old employed as a cotton weaver and living with his mother and his widowed grandmother at 26 Garnett St. Barrowford.

He married Annie Hartley at St. Paul's church, Little Marsden in 1918.

Harold joined the RAF and became an Air Mechanic 3rd Class. He died in hospital at Lincoln on 28th October 1918. He was just 24 years old. At the time of his death his wife, Annie, was living at 217 Manchester Rd. Nelson. Within a few short months the young bride had become a grieving widow...

He was buried at St. John's, Nelson on 2nd November 1918 and has a Commonwealth War Gravestone. Plot no. X 44

Inscription CWGC
'EVER REMEMBERED'