Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Gunner W. Cowie, Calcutta Artillery Volunteers

1914-15 Star (No. 85 Gnr. W. Cowie. 8/Cal. Fd. Bty.); British War Medal 1914-20 (85 Gnr. W. Cowie. Cal. Vol. Bty.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (85 Gnr. W. Cowie. 8 Cal. Field Bty.); together with a German East Africa silver coin converted into an identity disc, with the reverse erased and impressed ‘85 C.V.B. Gunr. W. Cowie. Pres’; and a hallmarked silver watch-fob, with the initials ‘W.C.’ on one side, and ‘O.G.’ on the other, good very fine, scarce (3) £180-£220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter Duckers.

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William J Cowie was born in 1878 and enlisted in the Calcutta Volunteer Battery of Mobile Artillery on 16 September 1914. His service record states that he served in the German East Africa Campaign from 1914 to 1916. He was discharged on 3 January 1917 at Fort William, Calcutta.

The Calcutta Artillery Volunteers served in German East Africa, designated as No. 8 Field Battery, and initially formed the only field artillery unit with the Indian force deployed in East Africa; it comprised six old 12-pounder guns drawn by oxen. The battery was heavily engaged in 1916, particularly at Salaita Hill, Latema, Lukigura River and Kilwa, before they were relieved, largely by South African units. Having suffered greatly from disease and shortage of rations during their time in Africa, they returned to India with most of the Indian force in 1917.

Sold with copied research.