Captain Samuel Wilkie McGowan

Captain Samuel Wilkie McGowan was an officer in the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. 

He was the son of James McGowan and came from Fort Garry, a neighbourhood of Winnipeg, Canada. He had enlisted with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in 1938 as a Private, but was quickly promoted to Corporal on the outbreak of war. McGowan went overseas with the PPCLI and was deployed to France in the early stages of the war. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1942, before returning to Canada to qualify as a first lieutenant with stints at Gordon Head and Camp Shilo (where the parachute battalion was based). He transferred to the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion and embarked for Europe again in July 1943. 

A contemporary newspaper report noted that he was mentioned in despatches in connection with ski patrol work during the Ardennes offensive and again during the Varsity drop, where he commanded the Canadians' B Company. His actions were recorded in B Company's narrative, " The Coy formed up in the RV with the usual confusion which is attached to a reorganization.  Capt S.W. McGowan -- OC had not shown up. On the Brigadier's order, the Coy was moved to right about 200 yds, and proceeded to dig in. Capt McGowan showed up, - a large hole in his helmet and a slight wound, - and #4 pl proceeded to the Bn objective.  #5 and #6 Pls did not move off till Capt McGowan went back further, which put #4 Pl about 500 yds in front". 

However, McGowan was killed, aged 25, a few days after Varsity on March 28, 1945. The War Diary recorded this event two days later: "Capt McGowan was killed and 5 ORs were wounded during the day". A further appendix elaborated: "B Company jumped under command of Capt S.W. McGowan vice Maj C.E. Fuller who at the last moment had to remain at the airfield in England. Capt McGowan on landing received a large hole in his helmet and a slight wound but gallantly carried on until killed in action a few days later". 

He was survived by his wife, Priscilla Frances Cunningham, and infant son Michael David, who he had sadly never met. He was buried in Holten Canadian War Cemetery Plot XII H8. His brother, Lieutenant William McGowan, also served in Germany with the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.