THREE SONS WITH D.F.C.

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23976, 17 June 1943, Page 3

THREE SONS WITH D.F.C.

DISTINCTION FOR HASTINGS MOTHER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 16. The distinction of having three sons, each of whom has received the Distinguished Flying Cross, is held by Mrs L. Cowan, a widow, of Hastings. The latest and third decoration to be won by the Cowan family is a D.F.C. just awarded to Acting-Flight Lieutenant William Bruce Cpwan, R.N.Z. A.F. The first son to win the award was Neville Lawrence Cowan, R.A.F., who, as a flying officer won it in April. 1942. The next was Flying Officer James Cowan, who lost his life in an aircraft crash in England, and who received the D.F.C. in recognition of his earlier services. This award preceded the family’s latest honour by one month. “Three attacks on Berlin are included in the very large number of operational sorties in which ActingFlight Lieutenant William Bruce Cowan has taken part,” states the citation accompanying his award. “As an aircraft captain he has proved himself efficient, and conscientious, and besides inspiring his crews and engendering their admiration, he has shown unswerving determination to complete his allotted tasks.” Of the three decorated brothers, all of whom were bom at Hastings, William is the middle son, being 28 years of age, while the eldest was James, aged 31, and the youngest, Neville, aged 23. The two elder brothers were both scholars at the Hastings Convent and the Napier Boys’ High School. Neville was educated at St. Patrick's College. Silverstream. In civil life all three brothers engaged in accountancy, and during their respective terms at school each distinguished himself at sport