Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

John Graham Gow was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 29 October 1884, the son of James Gibson and Hannah Brocket (nee Cowell, formerly Arkle) Gow. The family arrived in New Zealand per the “Tainui” in December 1885 and after going first to the Otago Education district (headmaster of Waiareka School) they soon settled at Timaru, where James Gibson Gow was the chief Inspector of schools in South Canterbury and was later instrumental in the establishment of technical classes as well as serving on the Timaru High School Board. Four or five more children were born to James and Hannah at Timaru, only two daughters surviving infancy. John Graham Gow was first educated at a private school, then at Timaru Main and Waimataitai schools before going to High School. John G. Gow (Waimataitai) was ranked highly in the junior scholarship examinations in 1896. John G. Gow, Timaru, had called at the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts (England) in late October – early November 1902. On leaving school, John pursued a career in medicine. At Otago University he passed practical chemistry in 1903; biology, physics and organic chemistry in 1904; physiology and gynaecology in 1909. John Graham Gow, a New Zealand student, secured second-class honours in Elementary Botany in the medical examinations at Edinburgh University in 1904; and J. G. Gow passed Elementary Zoology with first-class honours. Back at Otago in 1910 he gained a second class pass in Junior Medicine and a first class pass in Medical Jurisprudence. Shortly after, he passed the Second Medical Professional examination in pathology, medical jurisprudence and public health.

In 1914 John was a medical student in Dunedin, studying clinical surgery. John’s wife, Maysie Alice Marianne Collie (Alice), was already qualified in medicine herself when they married on 4 March 1913 at St Mark’s Church, Wellington. Later in the year J. G. Gow gained a 2nd class pass in clinical surgery and a 3rd class pass in second medicine at Otago. He graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery in June 1915. Two children were born before his enlistment - Edith Marianne Gow, born on 26 January 1915 in Dunedin and James Gibson Gow, born on 20 September 1916 at Westport. Anne Graham Gow was born on 16 December 1917 in Wellington, six months after John had embarked. Edward John Gow was born on 2 February 1920 at Levin, after John’s return from overseas service.

On 8 November 1916, J. Graham Gow, M.B., Ch.B. (NZ) wrote from Denniston to the Director General of Medical Services – “I wish to offer my services to the New Zealand Medical Corps for active service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. I have not had previous experience of Army Medical Corps work, but I have had considerable experience of military training in the Infantry. In addition to six years cadet training, at Edinburgh I completed three years training in the University volunteer company in which I held the rank of Sergeant. My age is 32 years. I am at present medical officer to the Denniston Colleries Accident & Medical Association & superintendent of the Denniston hospital. In terms of my agreement with the Association I am required to give three months notice of retirement. Should my services be accepted I should expect to be given three months in which to complete my agreement with the above Association before entering camp. . . . .” An agreeable reply followed. By 10 January 1917, having possible solutions, Dr Gow asked for an approximate date for entering camp, after the end of April. Yes, there would be a vacancy, Dr Gow to report on 1 May. J. Graham Gow advised on 31 January 1917 that he would report at defence headquarters (Wellington) on 1 May, having been granted twelve months leave of absence with power to extend. He expressed a desire to be attached to an Ambulance Corps and to get to the actual fighting front, preferably in France. He had earlier made arrangements to get away in March-April, but on 22 March 1917 Maysie Gow wrote – “I wish to inform you that my husband, Dr J. Graham Gow, who has to report himself on April 9th, is at present seriously ill in Miss Lucas’s hospital, Wellington. He was suffering from a bad attack of influenza when we left Westport last week, and has had cholecystitis since then, with complete stoppage of vile. Dr Ewart, who is attending him, wished me to tell you that, in his opinion, Dr Gow will not be fit for military service for six months – if ever. I may tell you that Dr Gow does not know of this as yet, & it will be e bitter disappointment to him, as he was very keen. But he is not a robust man, & his heart has never been right since he had subacute rheumatic fever a year ago.” On enquiry at the hospital a few days later, Dr Gow was better. Having recovered from his illness, Dr J. Graham Gow reported on 13 April 1917 and was “ready to come into Camp . . . . for 26th Reinforcement.”

John Graham Gow enlisted at Wellington on 3 May 1917, volunteering for the 32nd Reinforcement draft. He was then a self-employed medical practitioner at Denniston but gave as his address C/o E. Collie, Worser Bay, Wellington. He had served with a military force for three years at Edinburgh University until he left the university, and for six years as Lieutenant with the Timaru High School Cadets. Married with two children and Presbyterian, he named his wife as next-of-kin – Dr Alice M. Gow, 215 Marine Parade, Worser Bay, Wellington. Medically examined that same day, he was passed Fit A. He was 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighed 156 pounds, and had a chest measurement of 35-38 inches, with a ruddy complexion, hazel eyes and brown-grey hair. His sight, hearing, colour vision, heart and lungs were all normal, his limbs and chest well formed. He had suffered from chole-cystitis but was free from diseases, was vaccinated and was in good bodily and mental health. Captain J. G. Gow was posted to the New Zealand Medical Corps on 6 May 1917 and reported for duty. Many appointments of officers proceeding on active service were approved and took effect from 28 May, including that of Captain John Graham Gow, M.B., B.S., N.Z. Univ., to the New Zealand Medical Corps. He was taken on Strength with seniority. He served at Awapuni Training Camp from 1 May 1917 to 7 June 1917.

Captain J. G. Gow embarked with the New Zealand Medical Corps of the 28th Reinforcements, leaving per the “Westralia” on 7 June 1917. A delay in forwarding attestation papers to Awapuni Camp may have been the reason for the 28th Reinforcements on embarkation rather than the 26th. Arriving in Egypt on 6 August, he was posted to the Strength of the New Zealand Medical Corps at Cairo. On 3 September he was posted to the Training Regiment and on 14 September he was transferred to the Mounted Field Ambulance in the Field. Appointed Regimental Medical Officer to the Wellington Mounted Rifles on 20 September 1917, he was attached to Headquarters from the New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance. Having been temporarily detached to the Canterbury Mounted Rifles on 2 February 1918, he rejoined on 4 February. Ceasing to be attached to the Wellington Mounted Rifles on 9 June 1918, he marched out to Port Said and was posted to the Rest Camp at Ismailia and was then posted to strength from the Rest Camp on 25 June, transferring to the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade a few days later. He marched in from the Training Regiment for duty on 2 July. Rejoining from detachment to the Wellington Mounted Rifles on 3 August 1918, he was transferred to the New Zealand Mounted Field Ambulance and ceased to be attached for duty. On 4 September 1918, Captain Gow was detached to the Anzac Divisional Headquarters for duty (course of instruction). Then on 18 October 1918 he was attached to Headquarters for duty from the NZ Mounted Field Ambulance.

On 10 January 1919, John Graham Gow marched out to Kasr-el-Aini at Cairo, for duty, but on 18 January he was at Kasr-el-Aini Hospital, sick. On 25 January 1919, he was in the 88th General Hospital at Nasrieh, Cairo, Egypt, his complaint ‘not yet diagnosed’. He was, however, satisfactory. In the 88th General Hospital again on 12 February 1919, his complaint ‘not yet diagnosed’, it turned out to be hepatitis. John Graham returned to New Zealand for demobilization per the “Kaikoura” (Return Draft 230), embarking at Suez on 6 March 1919 after transfer from hospital the day before, and arriving at Wellington on 17 April. He was in a group of six who arrived at Timaru from Christchurch by the express (three of these returning soldiers accompanied by their English brides). In Timaru they were welcomed cordially by the Mayor and commended for their gallant work abroad. Capt. J. G. Gow was granted sick leave from 20 April 1919 to 10 May. On his return to New Zealand John was attached to the Military Hospital at Trentham, having accepted an offer of a posting there, his address being Selwyn Street, Timaru (his parents’ residence). He served at Trentham Military Hospital from May 1919 to March 1920.

Captain Gow was medically boarded at Wellington on 10 May 1919. With regard to his hepatises, there was no enlargement of the liver and his heart sound had improved. He was found unfit for active service for 6 months, fit for home service in 2 months and fit for light civil employment. It was recommended that he report for duty on 14 May 1919. He did report for duty with the NZ Medical Corps on 15 May 1919. A memo dated 3 June 1919, read – ‘A definite promise was given that this officer [Captain J. G. Gow] would be retained at Trentham Hospital. In response to a questionnaire regarding the Demobilization of Medical Officers, dated 5 June 1919, Captain Gow replied No to the desire of immediate demobilization; Two Years to ‘How long are you prepared to serve under the Defence Department? 6 weeks for length of service in New Zealand; and 7/6/17 to April 1991 to length of service overseas. He was granted 10 days’ sick leave from 6 June, returning on 16 June. On 4 July 1919, J. Graham Gow wrote from Trentham to the PMO, Trentham Military Hospital – ‘I beg to notify you of the loss of my kit in transit from Egypt and . . . . Previous to my leaving Egypt for New Zealand I was a patient in the Nasrieh Hospital and I left the hospital to join the HMNZ Transport Kaikoura on March 5th 1919. My Kit was taken from the hospital by ASC waggon . . . . It di not tune up at the boat, and Capt Gibbs of NZ HQrs Cairo promised to look for it & send it after me. On arrival at Colombo I received a cable from Capt Gibbs stating that my Kit was found & would be put on the next boat for NZ. On arrival of the Transport Devon from Egypt I made enquiries . . . . and was informed . . . that there was no kit on board the Devon for me. On June 25th I cabled HdQrs Cairo re my Kit & received the following reply . . . . . On June 30th I wired to Lieut. Dines to the address given me by Base Records as follows “Lieut. Dines, C/o G. W. Dines, Fairlie, Cairo advises my kit sent Devon your charge. Please advise immediately regarding it. Required urgently.” (Signed Capt. Gow, Trentham. This wire was sent reply paid but up to the present time – July 4th, I have received no reply. As it is now nearly a month since the Devon arrived in New Zealand I am at a loss to understand . . . . .’ This letter was forwarded to the Director General of Medical Services, requesting assistance in the recovery of the kit. A memo dated 30 July 1919 advised that the kit was to be forwarded from Christchurch to Wellington without delay. Captain Gow, officer attached to Trentham Military Hospital, was granted week-end leave from 13 to 15 September 1919. His annual leave was extended from 21. 1. 20 to 25. 1. 20, the authority for this being questioned. Captain Gow had applied for Christmas Leave (six days) from 12 January. It was approved, and there had been a clerical error as well as an assumption that Captain Gow was entitled to 10 days leave. J. G. Gow, Capt. NZMC, Trentham Military Hospital, applied for demobilization at the end of February. He was demobilized on 28 March 1920 and, as he was entitled to 28 days Privilege Leave, he ceased duty on 29 February 1920. He was, therefore, discharged on 28 March 1920, being struck off the strength of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and placed on the special reserve of officers. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was posted to the Retired List on 8 July 1921, with permission to retain rank and wear uniform on special occasions.

Captain J. G. Gow, MB, NZMC, attached Wellington Mounted Rifles as Regimental Medical Officer, was awarded the Military Cross (M.C.), for distinguished services in connection with Military Operations in Egypt and Palestine. The award was gazetted in the London Gazette of 9 December 1919 – for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with the 1st NZEF, and the full list which was posted on 1 January 1920 was cabled on 3 February 1920. His Military Cross was presented by His Excellency the Governor-General at Government House, Wellington on 9 June 1920. J. G. Gow who was then living in Levin attended the investiture and acknowledged receipt of the award later in the month. Dr. J. Graham Gow had decided to commence practice in Levin quite early in 1920 when he was on the staff of the Trentham Military Hospital. He had purchased a property in Kent Street, on which he intended to build a residence. He was well known to a number of returned soldiers in the district. He was president of the Levin RSA from 1921 to 1923. On 1 January 1929, J. Graham Gow advised that he was the Resident Medical Officer at Pleasant Valley Sanatorium, Palmerston, Otago.

A defended case for separation – John Graham Gow v. Alice Marianne Gow - was set down for the Supreme Court in late July 1929. A divorce case (alleged separation) was then set down for late October 1929. When the divorce ease of John Graham Gow against Alice Marianne Gow, a petition on the ground of separation, was called in the Supreme Court on 26 November 1929, the plaintiff asked leave to withdraw the petition, the application being granted. A further application was made on behalf of Alice Marianne Gow for leave to withdraw her claim against her husband in regard to £1000 alleged to have been loaned by her to him. John stated that he and Alice had agreed to go their separate ways in 1926, but Mrs Gow denied this. There was now a petition for divorce on the ground of mutual separation. Mrs Gow alleged that she had lent £1000 for her husband to purchase the Levin property, which he had sold in 1926. Mr Gow, however, alleged that she had given him the money and that he had used his own money in the property purchase. It was not until 1954-1955 that the marriage of John graham Gow and Maysie Alice Marianne Gow was dissolved.

John Graham Gow remarried at Oamaru on 14 March 1955, to Mary Anne Jane Catherwood (Dot). Both had been living at Tapui (near Oamaru) since the late 1930s. John Graham Gow (who often used the designation J. Graham Gow) died at his residence at Tapui just over five years later, on 2 October 1960, aged 75 years, and was privately cremated in Dunedin, his ashes scattered. On 19 October 1960 the Secretary for War Pensions advised the Department of Internal Affairs that John Graham Gow, 3/3394, served overseas during the 1914/18 war, and also served in New Zealand during the 1939/45 war (service number 6142). The War Pensions Board decided that his death was due to his service in the 1914/15 war. His next-of-kin was his widow, Mrs Mary A. J. Gow, Tapui. By his Will, John had directed that his remains be cremated. He bequeathed his telescope and all his astronomical books and instruments to Alfred F. Jones, FRAS, of Timaru, to be held on behalf of the variable star section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand and when that society had established an observatory they would be handed over for the use of the observatory. After the payment of funeral and testamentary expenses, his estate was to be held in trust for his wife Mary Ann Jane Gow, but should she predecease him for his son Edward John Gow, and should Edward predecease him, Edward’s wife Josephine. The schedule of his estate included his current account Bank of New Zealand, his Post Office Savings Bank Account, telescope and boos, jewellery, and accrued pensions - £315 in total. Mary Ann Jane Gow died at Oamaru on 6 April 1981 and was cremated at Salisbury Park, Timaru, her ashes scattered (as directed in her Will). Her bequests were to Catherwood family members and friends. John’s first wife, Maysie Alice Marianne Gow, died at Levin on 20 April 1959 and was buried there with her parents.

Flying Officer James Gibson Gow, the elder son of John and Maysie, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for meritorious service in the European theatre of war in World War Two. Their younger son, Edward John Gow, served with the Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve in World War Two. Several siblings of James Gibson Gow also came to New Zealand – John Graham Gow, Lillias Gow who died at her brother James’ residence, Timaru in 1887, and William Baxter Gow, also a doctor. John Graham Gow, a son of Dr Peter Gow, of Winton – Peter a cousin of John Graham Gow of this profile, and a grandson of John Graham Gow, senior, served with the Royal Air Force in World War Two and was killed in action in the Netherlands in 1943. James Serge Gow, a son of James Gibson Gow, junior, and another grandson John Graham Gow, senior, also served in World War Two with the Royal Air Force; he died in England in 1952 as the result of an aircraft accident; his father, James Gibson Gow, a son of John Graham Gow, senior, and a cousin of John Graham Gow of this profile, served with the New Zealand Forces in World War One, a sergeant-major in France in 1917. Robert Graham Gow Wilson, a son of Katherine King née Gow and Peter Noble Wilson, and yet another grandson John Graham Gow, senior, also served in World War Two. Ronald Gow, a son of Anthony Hepburn Murray Gow (who lived in England), and a cousin of John Graham Gow of this profile, served with the British Army in World War One; he was a chemical student when he enlisted but became a playwright after the war.

After 33 years as chief inspector of South Canterbury schools, James Gibson Gow, senior, retired in June 1919, there being a very large and representative gathering for his farewell dinner. Many fine tributes were paid to Mr Gow. He, in turn, acknowledged not only those he had worked with but also his wife for the help she had been to him. In conclusion Mr Gow paid a glowing tribute to the gallant boys who had given their lives in the great war. In touching words, which moved both speaker and audience to tears, he said that while he could not feel other than proud of the boys who had gone forth so fearlessly to battle. It pained him more than he could tell to read in the casualty lists the names of South Canterbury boys whose careers he had watched as they went through the schools which he visited, as well as after they had left school. He had a good memory, he could recollect them all, from the Rangitata to the Waitaki, and always when he read of the death of one of them he felt it more keenly than he could tell. He knew that the blow must come with ten-fold bitterness to the parents of these noble fellows, and the thought which consoled him most was that parents and teachers had trained them to show such bravery and heroism in the face of a brutal foe. Mr Gow said he could say no more. Words failed him to express his appreciation of all the kindness that had been shown him and for the beautiful gold watch, as well as for the illuminated address they had given him that day. James Gibson Gow died at his Timaru residence on 15 June 1932. He was the oldest surviving member of Chalmers Church, being one of the five office-bearers elected in 1902. An early member of the Timaru Bowling Club, he was the undefeated champion of the club for over twenty years. Hannah Brockett Gow died on 23 March 1946 and was buried with her husband at Timaru Cemetery. They were survived by their son John Graham Gow and two daughters.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [12 December 2013]; NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5539 0046365) [12 December 2013], NZ Defence Force Personnel Records (Archives NZ Ref. AABK 18805 W5937 0359450) [30 June 2017]; School Admission records (South Canterbury Branch NZSG); South Canterbury Times, 13 January 1897, Timaru Herald, 14 January 1897, 15 March 1913, 2 November 1914; 28 April 1919, 9 June 1919, 16 February 1920, 16 June 1932, NZ Times, 7 November 1902, 25 February 1904, 1 April 1919, 18 February 1920, Evening Star, 7 November 1903, 10 April 1909, 5 November 1909, 5 November 1910, Otago Daily Times, 7 November 1903, 21 June 1915, 30 May 1917, 10 June 1920, Evening Post, 6 September 1904, 17 March 1913, 31 March 1919, 9 June 1920, 25 July 1929, 26 October 1929, 28 November 1929, 2 August 1944, Lyttelton Times, 30 January 1909, Press, 27 January 1911, 19 March 1955, 4 October 1960, 7 April 1981, Levin Daily Chronicle, 30 January 1920, Temuka Leader, 17 February 1920, NZ Truth, 5 December 1929 (Papers Past) [05 & 13 November 2013; 13 December 2013; 21 May 2018; 04 October 2022; 16 & 18 June 2026]; NZ Electoral Rolls (ancestry.com.au) [28 April 2014; 18 June 2026]; Andersons Bay Dunedin Cremation record (Dunedin City Council); Tiro Tiro Road Levin Cemetery record; Probate record (Archives NZ/Family Search) 29 April 2016]; SCRoll web submission by S Murphy, 27 January 2019

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

TS