Lieutenant Thomas Alexander Rowat
PERSONAL INFORMATION
MILITARY INFORMATION
- Lieutenant, 38th Battalion, Infantry (Army).
- Private (Army).
RESEARCH INFORMATION
Lieut. Thomas Alexander Rowat was born in 1888 in Winchester, Ontario, the second son of the Presbyterian Rev. A. Rowat and Margaret McKenzie Rowat. Rev. Rowat had served as minister of Athelston and Elgin Presbyterian Church's (1884-1909) before moving to St. Lambert.
Lieut. Rowat had a long history of military service as a Lieut. in the Duke of Connaughts Canadian Hussars for four years, served one year in the Huntingdon Borderers, and in 1917 was a member of the 97th Regiment Canadian Militia.
Lieut. Rowat was fluent in French and held a Quebec teaching certificate.
Lieut. Rowat tried to enlist in January 1915, but was turned down. In September 1915 he was serving as a Brick Company manager when he successfuly enlisted. On the 28th of June, 1917, he was killed, instantly, by a German artillery shell, while serving in the La Coulette area, near Quebec trench and Kirk Trench.
The following letter was printed in the Red Deer Advocate, August 17, 1917
The family of Lt. T. A. Rowat, brother of Mrs. [Reverend] W. G. Brown, of Red Deer, have received the following letter as to their son's and brother's death:
France, June 30, 1917
Dear Mr. Rowat:
As the chaplain whose sad duty it was to read the burial service over your heroic son, I am taking this opportunity of expressing my sincere sympathy for you in your great bereavement. Your son was killed by a German shell in a dugout in our front line. The merciful feature about his death is that it came instantly, and did not cause him any prolonged agony.
Although your son has been with the Battalion but a short time, by his winning manner he had succeeded in becoming one of our most popular officers. The best tribute that can be paid to his memory is that "He played the game". The deepest regret is felt throughout the entire Battalion, both officers and men, over his death. He won his way into the hearts of the men by his dramatic readings from Robert Service. Although I had known your son but a few months, I learned to respect him as a soldier and a man. May the divine Father comfort you in your time of need. I'm confident that your son has gone to meet the One who also gave His life for a cause.
We buried your son in a military cemetery some miles back of the front line, where his grave will not be disturbed by the desecrating shells of the enemy. In the course of a few days a cross will be erected to his memory by the Battalion. The military authorities will not allow us to disclose the location of the cemetery, but if you write the following address they will send you the full particulars, and a photograph of the grave, if you desire the same:
Director of Grave Registrations and Inquiries, War Office, Winchester House, St. James Square, London, S. W.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends".
Yours sincerely,
[signed] Harry B. Clarke,
Captain
Chaplain, 38th Battalion, Canadian Infantry
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Red Deer News, 11 July 1917, pg. 1:
Roll of Honour
Rev. W. G. Brown received word on Monday that Lieut. T. A. Rowat, one of Mrs. Brown's brothers, has been killed in action in France. Lieut. Rowat was an officer in the 38th battalion, and was serving under Brig.-General Logie at the time of his death.