Born in Calcutta, India to Auxilier Lieutenant Thomas and Blanche Cowley who were hotel keepers. Tom (Frank) and John and Anthony were brothers. The family moved to the Island in 1922. In 1939 he is lodging with William Ablitt at Fullingmills Farm, Westover, Calbourne. The rest of the family are at Green Farm.
He married Muriel "Anna" Burton in late 1939. In 1982 Tom and Anna were interviewed by Peter Williams for his TV programme "Gherkin and Truffle go to War". He explains that had the Island been invaded he would have made sure Anna got to her mothers in Freshwater.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ningwood Patrol | Patrol member | 12 Sep 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Farm manager
At some time during the war a white feather arrived in the post which meant someone thought he wasn't doing his bit for the war effort.
TNA ref WO199/3391,
1939 Register
Gherkin and Truffle go to war - Peter Williams
Ancestry.co.uk