By Alva “Bobbie” Cowen

John Richard Cowen (Jnr) was born in Sculcoates in 1867. He became a journalist. He lived at 7 Avenham Place in 1894. Educated in Leeds Grammer.

Reporter for Newcastle Daily Journal. Sub-Editor for the Newcastle Courant. Reporter for the Hull Daily Main. Manager and Sub-Editor for the Umpire Manchester. Sub-Editor for the Lanc. Daily Post (1890-1894). Sub-Editor for the Times, London, from October (1894-1895).

In July 1900 was sent to Peking to replace Times agent reported killed in Boxer Rebellion - falsely - so he stayed there and began the North China Daily Mail which was printed in 7 languages (Chinese, English, French, Japanese, German, Italian and Russian). John Richard senior or junior was running a newspaper in China with some of his brothers in 1904.

In World War I he had a commission in a Chinese Labour Unit and others (5 of his 6 sons served also - 1 was killed). He printed the Somme Times in France. Was a fluent and witty speaker, a devout churchman and campaigned against immorality especially in China, and a staunch supporter of British ideals. He died in China in 1929.

There may have been another son, who was killed in action in WWI.