Major SH Cowan, 175 Tunnelling Co, RE, Diary

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

Hi All

I have a vague memory of seeing a reference to a personal diary written by Major Cowan of his time with the 175th Tunnelling Company.

Unfortunately all my searches, here and elsewhere, have turned up nothing.

It may have been in a book but I cannot now find the reference.

Can anyone:

a. Confirm its existence

b. Point me in the right direction to obtain a copy, or part

Or just confirm I have been dreaming!

Many Thanks

Richard

[sotonmate]

No link to this I am afraid,but you may be interested in this item which is from the IWM archive:

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009794

[Simon Jones]

Richard

His letters to his wife which form a diary are in the RE Museum.

Regards

Simon

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

No link to this I am afraid,but you may be interested in this item which is from the IWM archive:

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80009794

Thanks Sotonmate

I've just run through the contents-fascinating!

Besides the period I'm interested in the whole thing will be worth watching, there are some unusl topics in there

Regards

Richard

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

Richard

His letters to his wife which form a diary are in the RE Museum.

Regards

Simon

Hi Simon

That must be what I've seen reference to.

Have you any idea if they would provide copies or if a visit is necessary?

Regards

Richard

[Simon Jones]

Richard

I don't know. My recollection is that there is the original manuscript and a typed version.

regards

Simon

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

Thanks Simon

I'll have to research that a bit further, it looks likely I'll need a visit!

Regards

Richard

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

Richard

I don't know. My recollection is that there is the original manuscript and a typed version.

regards

Simon

Hi Simon

I emailed the RE museum, to

a) confirm they had the diary, and

b)enquire if they did a copying service.

The reply I got back was "Thank you for your email, we do not have the personal dairy of Major S H Cowans"

It then goes on to tell me they have the War Diary as will the NA and the IWM, which I already knew.

It came from the email address "volunteer2" so perhaps not an expert on the collection?

I had already looked on the online catalogue which it is not listed on, but it does say its an ongoing project, perhaps that's all the volunteers do?

I guess I'm going to have to make a trip to London sometime, I could do with going to Woolwich as well, if I can fit it in.

Regards

Richard

[Simon Jones]

Richard

They do have it! An extract was published in the RE Journal in August 1988 and I saw the original at that time. If you PM me your email address I'll send you a copy of the extract. I just emailed Peter Barton and he has confirmed he has also seen the diary.

I can only suggest that you ask them to check again. Perhaps if the volunteer searched for Cowan not Cowans...

regards

Simon

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

Thanks Simon

I'll try again, must admit I hadn't noticed the s added to the name.

Rereading the email again I now realise he was also looking for a "dairy" not a "diary" !

Must be a pun there somewhere about spilt or sour milk, but my brain can't figure it out!

I'll keep you informed, but in the meantime PM on its way

Regards

Richard

[Simon Jones]

Sappers are highly versatile but I think dairies are the Remit of the RAVC...

Extract sent.

Good luck!

regards

Simon

[Simon_Fielding]

Any comments from Major Cowans on the period end Aug / beginning Sept '1918?

[harkerr@btinternet.com]

I did get confirmation from the museum that they do hold the diary, they also provided me with the reference number, which I have somewhere.

A visit is on the to do list, sometime!!

Regards

Richard