THE LAURIE OSBORNE ESTATE MEDAL COLLECTION
Monday, 25 May - Monday, 8 June 2026
WWI ANZAC Trio; Memorial plaque and Gallipoli medallion to a 23 year old soldier who survived Gallipoli to be killed in action at the Somme. Together with a heartbreaking letter to his parents,
Realised: $2,100 plus premium
Lot Details
Thomas William Cowan ( 22 April 1893 - 16 Sept 1916) Auckland labourer. Pvte. WWI 6/2405, Canty Infantry Bn, 5th Reinforcements. Egypt, Gallipoli and Somme. Enlisted 1 May 1915, Killed in Action Somme, France 16 Sept 1916. Buried Bulls Road Cemetery, Flers, Somme. Lot comprises: (i) 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, (ii) Memorial Plaque and Galipolli Medallion, (iii) a letter dated 1 Nov 1915 (but covering extended period) to parents from Egypt (Pont de Koubbeh Hospital, Cairo) with comments about returning to Gallipoli; his anxiety due to his proximity whilst on a transport ship (to Lemnos) to the submarine torpedoing of the HMT Royal Edward (13 Aug 1915 with great loss of lives); his re-embarkation to Turkey and deaths of five men whilst landing; returning to Egypt; comment on seriousness of 'this war' compared to South Africa (Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902); comment on the Turks (cleaner fighters than Germans, don't use poisonous gas); comment of the likelihood of NZ conscription; comment on the possibility of Gallipoli as a ‘tourist resort after the war ‘ (to visit trenches, gun pits and souvenir ‘...bullets, broken bayonets and so forth’). Closing with ‘I don't suppose we will want to see the place again after the war is over ‘ On 16 September 1916, the NZ Div was engaged in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette at the Somme. After capturing the village of Flers on the 15th, infantry battalions fought to consolidate and to push the front line under heavy German artillery. Cowan was KIA in this action. Includes: AWWM printout and NZ Archives printout. Provenance: Laurie Osborne Collection
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