Rushden Sailor Missing - Able-Seaman Frank Cowley - News Wanted

This is an extract from the article. For the full article see A.B. Frank Cowley:

An adopted son, Gunner F Groom, of the RGA, is in France, and two sons-in-law are also fighting for their country.

In a letter recently received from Lance-Corpl A Cowley he says: "I am glad to tell you that I have come through one of the greatest bombardments of the war till no. I think most of the Northants chaps who came out with me are either killed or wounded, and I must think myself very lucky, and hope I shall remain so until the end of the warm if you can call it war. I call it murder; the guns roar from morn till morn again, and when they have done their bit the earth is upside down, not room for a mouse to live, but we don't have it all our own way, for Fritz can put up a bombardment almost equal to ours."

Rushden's Casualty List - Men Killed, Wounded and Gassed

Mr and Mrs George Cowley of 14, Portland-road, Rushden, have suffered further bereavement through the war by the death in action on March 29th of their eldest son, 202033 Lance-Corpl Arthur Cowley, Northumberland Fusiliers. The sad news was received by the deceased soldier's widow, who resides at 20 Victoria-road, on Wednesday morning, and much sympathy is felt with her and the parents in the grievous blow that have thus sustained. The late Lance-Corpl Cowley, who was 33 years of age, leaves also two little children. He joined the Colours in November, 1915, being one of Lieut Perkins 's recruits, and up to the time of his death he had been in France about 19 months. Before joining up he was employed at Messrs. E Claridge and Sons' boot manufacturers, Rushden, and was highly respected by his principals and shopmates, having been with the firm since boyhood. He was an enthusiastic sportsman and well known as a footballer. This is the second son Mr and Mrs Cowley have lost hi the country's service, another son, the late A.B. Frank Cowley (Royal Naval Division) being killed on April 23rd last. Another son, Signaller Geo. Herbert Cowley, Northants Regiment, as wounded on March 27th as reported in the "Rushden Echo" at the time, and is now in hospital in Glasgow. Two sons-in-laws are also fighting their country's battles.

Lce-Cpl A Cowley, A.B. F Cowley & Pte. G H Cowley

Official news has come to Mrs. Cowley, of 20, Victoria-road, Rushden, that her husband, Lce.-Corpl. Arthur Cowley, Northumberland Fusiliers, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Cowley, of 14, Portland-road, Rushden, was killed in action on March 29th. Lce-Corpl. Cowley joined the Colours in November, 1915, and went to France after nine months training. Before enlisting he was employed at Messrs. E. Claridge and Sons’ boot factory. A brother, A.B. Frank Cowley, Royal Naval Division, was killed on April 23rd, 1917. His other brother, Signaller George Herbert Cowley, was wounded in the left arm on March 27th last, and is now in hospital at Glasgow, and went to France in September. Previous to joining up he worked at Messrs. W. Green and Sons’ boot factory.