In 1901, the Gowans family were living at 1, Marshall Place, Perth. Father, James Frame Gowans (Grocer & Wine Merchant), b. c1863, Perth; Mother, Margaret Kilgour Dawson, b. c1873, Perth; Daughter, Margaret, b. c1896, Perth; and Son, James b. 1897, Perth. Also living at this address was Jessie Buchan (General Servant, Domestic), b. c1883, Dronley, Forfarshire. James and Margaret Gowans went on to have two more children, both born at 6 King’s Place, Perth: Stewart Imrie, b. 22nd April 1903; and David Allan, b. 16th April 1905.

Strathallan School Magazine, “The Strathallan”

“STRATHALLAN AND THE GREAT WAR"

“That we know anything about these early years of Strathallan School is almost entirely due to James’ brother Stewart who wrote an account of their time in Bridge of Allan. James had been educated first at Perth Academy, alongside Allan Langlands Harley, but had moved with him and his brother Stewart to Strathallan in September 1913. We know that James was a slow-left arm bowler in the earliest cricket side, not to mention the first Captain of School, but he distinguished himself in passing the Cambridge Senior Examination with Honours in December 1913, going on to finish second in Britain in the London Matric in early 1914".

“Bolstered by this impressive academic background he went up to King’s College London in the autumn of 1914, entering the Engineering Faculty, and improving his burgeoning academic standing by winning the Tennant Prize for Geology in his first year. According to his obituary in the King’s College Review, ‘his modesty of disposition gained the affection of both Staff and Students’."

“At the end of the university year in 1915 he joined up as a private in the 14th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, later transferring to the 2nd Battalion. He served with the Battalion in France, being shot through the knee. According to accounts he lay in no-man’s land for over fifteen hours before being rescued, subsequently contracting pneumonia. Repatriated to recover from his wounds, he died at Tooting Military hospital on the 6th of June 1917, aged twenty. His body was returned to Perth and buried in the Wellshill Cemetery.”

Perthshire Constitutional, Christmas 1917

“L/Cpl. James Gowans, A. & S. H., son of Mr and Mrs James Gowans, 6 King’s Place, Perth, died as the result of wounds. Shortly before his death L/Cpl. Gowans was specially mentioned for distinguished conduct in the field.”