Killed in action aged 24
Grave unknown

Hew was born in Hillhead, Glasgow, the elder son of David McCowan and his wife Gertrude Margaret Cargill, and named for his grandfather. He was educated at Cargilfield Preparatory School, Edinburgh and went on to Fettes in 1904, coming up to Christ Church in 1908. In 1912, he joined the 1/8th Battalion of the Cameronians [Scottish Rifles].

He served and was killed in action at Gallipoli on 28 June 1915 and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Panel 92 to 97.

As a memorial to her elder son, Lady McCowan established a club for working girls in Maryhill, the name of the institution being the Hew McCowan Club.

He is commemorated on the Fettes Roll of Honour and in the Cargilfield School Memorial Chapel.

David McCowan was a partner in William Euing & Co, marine insurance brokers of Glasgow. After the War, he held many other positions including a directorship of the Clydesdale Bank and became a great philanthropist. He received a knighthood in 1928, and a Baronetcy in 1934. In 1923, Lady McCowan had conferred upon her the C.B.E for 'her manifold public and benevolent works'.

Image reproduced courtesy of the Imperial War Museum, © IWM (HU 117379)