TOPIC:

I have a QSA and KSA, purchased 20 some years ago in Minneapolis at a garage sale. J. P. Mcgowan was an Australian who fought with the Montmorency Scouts, as told in his Biography. "J.P. McGowan: Hollywood Pioneer". He become a famous Hollywood director/ actor in both silent and sound pictures and the head of the Movie Director's Guild. You can read about J P's Boer War activities at this page: tinyurl.com/q6ubgt6 [/url]. His story is also told in the documentary "Stunt Love" (2011). I also have a QSA that belongs to J.P.'s brother Allen J. McGowan. that was in the same group.
The Biography tells how the medals made their way to Minnesota. He had become close with relatives in Minnesota around 1912, especially his cousin Leone, 20 years his junior, as described in the McGowan Biography: “The significance of their relationship is reflected in the fact that when Jack’s second wife, Kaye, passed away, ten years after Jack’s death, Kaye left instructions that Jack’s much prized Boer War medals were to be bequeathed to Leone.” [/img] .
My question is, do the J.P. medals seem to be renamed? I look up J. P. in the Montmorency Scouts unit and did not find him. the service number on the imprint is No.12. His brother's medal imprint and record all check out as legitimate. One expert thought that J.P. probably lost his medals and had two others renamed. I would appreciate any insight as to why I can't find his name on any QSA, KSA rolls.

Thanks

Hello

Interesting story.

JP's medals are re-named, AJ's look fine.

Regards
Meurig

McGowan,

That is a fascinating story behind the medal.

You are correct that the medals to JP McGowan has been renamed. This could be because he lost his originals. However, I am having trouble finding him on the medal rolls. I have searched the index and also all the pages of the Montmorency's QSA roll (WO100/259) without success. Neither man is listed on the nominal roll for Montmorency's Scouts .

The medal to A J McGowan does appear genuine. Can you tell me the unit name on the rim please? There is a man of this name in the NSW Bushman's Contingent.

With thanks
David

The account of J P's activities indicates that he served in the Natal campaign at a time when Montmorency's Scouts were busy in the Cape Colony. If he was indeed involved in both the Relief of Ladysmith and the subsequent Relief of Mafeking, service with the Imperial Light Horse is a possibility. However, the ILH was not present at Laing's Nek and Belfast. A check of the ILH nominal roll is needed.

The fact that J P's medals are renamed, and that there are improbabilities in the account of his war service, suggests that there may be deceit involved.

Regards
Brett

There is a database of Australians in the Boer War which lists John Paterson McGowan as serving in Montmorency's Scouts but also confirms that he is not listed on the roll. Source: members.pcug.org.au/~croe/ozb/oz_boer_more.cgi?record=13849

Thanks for the reply. Allen J McGowan served with the NSW Army Medical Corps.

Tim