Cowan Dunn Wallace

Rank: 
Lance Corporal
Regimental number: 
772099
Unit at enlistment: 
125th Battalion
Force: 
C.E.F.
Volunteered or conscripted: 
Volunteered
Survived the war: 
No
Date of death: 
July 11th, 1917
Cemetery: 
La Targette British Cemetery - Pas de Calais, France - II.E.13
Commemorated at: 
Marlborough Street United Church, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
Birth country: 
Scotland
Birth county: 
Lanarkshire
Birth city: 
Glasgow
Address at enlistment: 
48 Grand Street, Brantford, Ontario
Next of kin address: 
48 Grand Street, Brantford, Ontario
Trade or calling: 
Cabinet maker
Employer: 
Ham and Nott Co.
Religious denominations: 
Presbyterian
Marital status: 
Single
Age at enlistment: 
24

Letters and documents

Cause and Place of Death: Killed in Action

BX July 11, 1917

Although without details as to the manner of death, word had been received in the city that Lance Corporal Cowan Dunn Wallace, Dundas Street, has been killed in action. He went overseas with the first overseas battalion from the 38th Dufferin Rifles. One sister, Agnes, (Mrs. Waddington), and four brothers survive him. The brothers are Alfred, James, rejected from the 215th Battalion; Archie with the 125th Battalion; and Gavin, formerly with the Winnipeg Rifles, now back from the front wounded.

BC July 26, 1917

Private C. Wallace Killed in Action – Another Member of 125th Battalion Makes Supreme Sacrifice at the Front

The family have received definite word that Pte. Cowan Wallace, son of Mr. Thomas Wallace 20 Dundas Street, was killed on July 11th. He left with the 125th Battalion, and went in the first draft from that regiment to the front. He was formerly employed with the Ham & Nott Company, and lived with his brother, Mr. A.E. Wallace. The departed hero was 25 years of age, and unmarried. Another brother, Archie, is also at the front.

BX July 26, 1917

Thomas Wallace of the city has received official notice that his son, Pte. Cowan Wallace, was killed in action at the front on July 11, last, instead of July 17, as was previously unofficially reported.

BX July 11, 1917

Private Cowan Wallace Cheery to Last

The last letter written by Private Cowan Wallace to his father, Thomas S. Wallace of this city, was but another of those cheerful and optimistic messages which continually come from the battle line. The letter was dated July 2, and the following extracts have been taken there from:

I am still in the game and am feeling fine. We are having lots of rain, but also have some nice weather, so there is no kick coming. Well, it’s about a year since you saw me last, but I have not changed any, only got a little thinner, but as they are giving us porridge now I will soon get fat again. Archie’s fine and is a lot fatter now. I have run across some of the old 125th boys who have just come from England, and they are all looking good. I am all right, and so is Archie, so you want to keep your head up, for your sons are not like a few of your neighbors. Give my best to all who ask for me – I often think of the days gone by.

BX August 19, 1916

Many Brantford homes have been made desolate by the great European war now raging. Families have sacrificed their all in the cause of their King and Country, and in so doing many families have made records that will stand for all time. Numerous families have given every male representative just as is illustrated by the above picture. The picture shows the whole family of Thomas Wallace, caretaker at the Grand Trunk Railway station.

At the outbreak of war, Mr. Wallace’s whole family consisted of his four sons and now his home is a home desolate indeed with all four doing their little bit. Private Guy Wallace was the first to answer the call. He was working in the freight offices of the G.T.R. at Winnipeg and immediately enlisted with the 8th Battalion which later on attained the cognomen of the “Little Black Devils.”  He has done his little bit at the front and has been invalided home. He is now back in Winnipeg. Both Cowan and Archie Wallace are with the 125th Battalion, and both hold the rank of corporal. Cowan formerly worked at Ham & Nott while Archie was clerk in the G.T.R. freight office. The last son, James is with the 215th Battalion at Niagara and formerly worked at Ham & Nott. The boy’s ages range from 24 to 28. It is doubtful if many families in Brantford or elsewhere have attained such a record. The father of these four heroic sons has been employed as caretaker of the G.T.R. Station ever since it was built. His one lament just now is the loneliness and desolation of his home, for his wife has been dead for some time.

Archibald Totten Wallace M.M. (772347)
Cowan Dunn Wallace (451958) (772099)
Guy Wallace (763) (772847)
James Totten Wallace (270375)