PRIVATE 12790 ROY COWLING, 9th BATTALION WEST RIDING REGIMENT (ILKLEY PAL’S COMPANY). KILLED IN ACTION 13th AUGUST 1915





The pre-war British army was a relatively small affair, more designed to police a distant empire than engage in a full blown continental war. Secretary of State for War Herbert Kitchener quickly recognised that the war might last for many years and instituted a recruitment drive to bolster the army's numbers. Recruitment meetings were held across the country including Ilkley. On 31st August 1914 20 year old Roy Cowling attended a packed meeting in the King's Hall where local young men were encouraged to join up. At its conclusion 137 men, including Roy Cowling, agreed to join the army together. Barely enough to constitute half a company they, nevertheless, became known as the 'Ilkley Pals'. Attached to the newly formed 9th Duke of Wellingtons (West Riding) Regiment. On 13th August 1915, less than a month after arriving in France, the battalion was in the front line near to Hooge when young Roy was killed in action. Roy Cowling was born in Ilkley and lived with his parents at Heath Cottage, Crossbeck Road. A former pupil at Ilkley Grammar School he had before the war been employed as a Wool Sorter and was a keen motorcyclist. He lies buried in Ridge Wood Cemetery and is remembered on Ilkley War Memorial.

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