An exquisite headstone carved by a consummate artist

 As you know I love a beautifully sculptured headstone. Many in Rookwood stop me in my tracks and the one that I would never have seen, unless pointed out, is why I investigated the man who it pays tribute to.

WILLIAM JAMES GOWANS

William was born on the 16th of October 1890, the eldest son of William and Eliza (nee Elms). William (Senior) arrived in Australia from Scotland in 1884, Eliza was born in Collingwood Melbourne to parents formally from England. The couple had four children before marrying in 1896. This may have been due to Eliza having previously been married twice, firstly at the age of fifteen. It seems that both men deserted her and died in other States of Australia. None the less it seems that Eliza was lucky at the third attempt, and they went on to provide William with six siblings, most living long lives. William (Senior) was involved with the Sydney Scottish Borderers Association which aimed to promote interest in Scottish music, literature and sports. William (Senior) was its secretary for many years.


William James Gowans as a child - ancestry.com in public domain

William was educated in the inner Sydney suburban Annandale and Forest Lodge Public School. When he enlisted with the AIF on the 17th of August 1914, Australia had only recently declared war upon Germany on the 5th of August and that accounts for his Service Number of 168. At the time of his enlistment, he was 23 years and 10 months, stood at 5ft, 6in, had fair hair and complexion with grey eyes and was employed as an engineer. He was unmarried and the family were residing in the suburb of Petersham. 


William James Gowans as a Private in the AIF - ancestry.com in public domain.

He joined the 4th Battalion, E Company as a Private and departed Australia on the 20th of October on board the HMAT A14 Euripides from Sydney. After training in Egypt, William was sent to the Dardanelles as one of the troops to land at Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915. 

During the landing William was carrying ammunition when he fell on a misplaced left foot causing him to wrench his knee. He managed to avoid bullet fire even, no doubt, limping badly. On the 27th of April, William sustained a bullet wound to the left side of his head whilst under fire which passed through but caused some deafness and severe headaches. 

William constantly had trouble with his left knee which would constantly "lock up" and with the deafness and headaches he was considered to have a permanent disability of @ 50%.

His knee caused more problems than his head injury. It constantly grated and swelled requiring a support and because of this William was unable to march. It was this reason he was formally discharged on the 13th of August 1916 after returning to Australia on board the HMAT A72 Beltana.

It is doubtful that he returned to his former occupation as an engineer, but he did receive a fortnightly pension of £3 effective from his formal discharge date. 

William James Gowans died peacefully at his home on the 10th of May 1919. At the time of his death, he lived with his parents in Burwood. 

The masonry on William's headstone is astonishing and full of symbolism detailing an open book, his army cap and rifle exquisitely etched on the white marble pedestal showing his cape as a shroud. 


Headstone showing front view - author's personal photo collection


Showing details of Army cap - author's personal collection 




Showing details of rifle and shroud - author's personal collection 

William's resting place is in the old Presbyterian area in section 5c very close to the Paul mausoleum.


A rare nighttime photograph of the headstone showing more detail - find a grave 2023

The inscription on his headstone is as follows: -

 In loving memory 

of 

our dear son

Private William 

James Gowans 

4th Bat. A.I.F 

Original Anzac

died 10th May 1919

Aged 28 years

Abide with me 

fast falls the eventide.


If you are visiting the Cemetery do seek out William's grave and be astonished at the craftmanship in the carving of his headstone. I am unsure of the stonemason but can say he was a consummate artist.

For today's blog I have used references from the Ancestry.com, Find a Grave, National Archives of Australia and personal notes. 

If you have any comments to add to this blog, please do so at the comments area or simply go to the Group Facebook page found under a search for 

Rookwood Cemetery Discoveries 

or simply send me a message via 

lorainepunch@gmail.com

Until next time!


 







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