Canadian Mowat Brothers

Discussion in 'Military Biographies' started by liverpool annie, May 18, 2009.

  1. liverpool annie

    liverpool annie New Member

    Captain Oliver A. Mowat, Military Cross, Siberian Expeditionary Force

    Oliver Alexander Mowat served during the Great War and was one of four sons of Max and Lilian Mowat of Campbellton. Born in 1893, he enlisted in 1914 and was commissioned a lieutenant in 24th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery. Within the year he was in action in France. He was wounded in July 1916 and again in August 1917. With his second wound he returned to Campbellton to recuperate.

    Although Mowat could have remained in Canada in some military capacity, he was determined to return to action. In March 1918 he was back in England attached to the 68th Battery, 16th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. The 68th Battery became a component of the Siberian Expeditionary Force and by September 1918 Captain Mowat was in Northern Russia helping to protect the vital port of Archangel and to fight the Bolsheviks. He won a Military Cross for his “conspicuous gallantry” at an action at Kodema on 15 December 1918. On 19 January 1919 Mowat and his battery were in support of American and White Russian forces at Shenkursk, when they were attacked by a strong force of Bolsheviks. Mowat was mortally wounded by shell fire.
    Prior to their evacuation from Siberia, members of his battery disinterred Mowat’s body, placed it in a coffin, and had it shipped back to England as part of the battery baggage. There the body was collected by his father, properly preserved by an undertaker, placed in a sealed coffin, and shipped back to Campbelltown. Captain Oliver Mowat was buried with military honours in the Campbellton Rural Cemetery.
    His grave marker commemorates both him and his older brother .......

    Second Lieutenant Morden Maxwell Mowat, who was shot down and killed by the German flying ace Max Immelman on 16 May 1916, while serving with the 11th Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. Morden Mowat was 25 years of age and is buried at Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

    In memory of
    Captain
    OLIVER ALEXANDER MOWAT
    who died on January 27, 1919

    Age: 25
    Force: Army
    Unit: Canadian Field Artillery
    Division: 16th Brigade
    Honours and Awards: Military Cross
    Date of Birth: August 8, 1893
    New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
    Date of Enlistment: January 13, 1915
    Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
    Son of Max M. and Lillian A. Mowat, of Campbellton, NB. His grave marker bears the inscription "Died in Russia".
    Cemetery CAMPBELLTON RURAL CEMETERY

    New Brunswick,Canada
    Grave Reference: L. 313.

    http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/...rval=20&&PHPSESSID=pd461vcckdi2t0cfi1uvh49r73

    http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/virtualmem/photos&casualty=2755675

    In Memory of
    Second Lieutenant MORDEN MAXWELL MOWAT

    11th Sqdn., Royal Flying Corps
    who died age 25
    on 16 May 1916
    Son of Maxwell M. and Lillian A. Mowat, of Campbellton, New Brunswick.

    Remembered with honour
    CABARET-ROUGE BRITISH CEMETERY, SOUCHEZ
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Carr6

    Carr6 New Member

    Hi There

    I would like to clarify the above posting.
    Oliver's unit made a coffin from biscuit tins that were soldered together. My Grandfather (his brother) met him in England and had an undertaker fashion a coffin for Oliver's return to Canada. My Great Grandfather and Oliver's father Maxwell was the one that met his body in Campbelltown. There is a letter written by my grandfather stating this on my website as well.
    There were a total of 5 brothers in the family. The 3 older brothers served, Oliver, Morden and Godfrey. The 2 younger enlisted but the war had ended and they never saw battle.
    http://carr6.shawwebspace.ca/
     
    Watson likes this.

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