- Picture Notes
- Mr James Gowan - Obituary
"A prominent church worker and a well-known and popular figure in the newspaper trade locally as circulation representative of this newspaper, Mr. James George Gowan of 37, Charteris Road, Woodford Green, died in Whipps Cross Hospital, Leytonstone, on Wednesday after a short illess. He was 49.
Mr. Gowan's mother died when he was nine years old and he went to live with neighbours, Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Cook in Esther Road, Leytonstone. Wile he was serving in the Fleet Air Arm during the war the Cooks' house was bombed and they moved to Colworth Road, Leytonstone, which in turn became Mr. Gowan's new home.
Joining the Fleet Air Arm in 1940 as an armourer, he became a top technician at his trade. While serving on the Ark Royal he was mentioned in despatches for outstanding courage, determination and skill under continuous and fierce enemy attack. The incident occurred on convoy escort duty to and from North Russia.
After the war he worked for a short time for the Leytonstone building firm of E. and W. Cook Ltd., later joining Leyton Council staff as a building inspector and subsequently becoming a member of this newspaper's circulation staff.
During the time he lived in Leytonstone he was in turn a choirboy and a chorister at St. Andrew's Church. He was a prominent member of the church, particularly among the young people. After he married in 1947 he went to live in Sandrigham Road, Leyton, and some years afterwards moved to Woodford Green. He soon became associated with Woodford Parish Church, becoming active in the various spheres of the Church's work. He had served on the Parochial Church Council for about seven years and for the last four years had been a church warden, a capacity in which he devoted himself wholeheartedly to the welfare of St. Mary's.
As a circulation representative of this newspaper he was in regular contact with local newsagents and he was a popular visitor to many social functions organised in connection with the trade.
Mr. Ronald Charlton, chairman of the local branch of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, Booksellers and Stationers, said: "We were shocked to hear the news of Mr. Gowan's death. We have all known him for years. He was a very friendly person and we all got on with him very well indeed. We are very Sorry."
Mr. Gowan leaves a widow and three sons, with whom deep sympathy has been expressed.
The Rector of Woodford, the Rev. Christopher Wansey, said on Wednesday: "St. Mary's has suffered the most grievous loss in the death of James Gowan, who had been actively associated with the Church for some 10 years. During the past 4 years he had been a Churchwarden.
"In this period of office he went far beyond the duties normally expected of the Churchwarden and took a great interest in all branches of the church's work, not least in the working parties on the church buildings and grounds, where he spent many hours and did valuable service.
"His was a most cheerful and friendly nature, and St. Mary's owes an inestimable debt to the consistently happy way in which he greeted all at the services.
"'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thee into the joy of our Lord.'"
Another tribute was paid by Mr. Cyril Cook, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. Cook. Mr. Cook said: "He was a brother to me as well as a friend. It was typical of Jim that when I asked him after the war how he came to be awarded the Oak Leaf for his mention in despatches he told me 'They had such a lot to give out that they put all the names into a hat. My name just happened to be picked out.'"
Mr Eric Smith of Roundmead Road, Loughton, who was a fellow member with Mr. Gowan in the St. Andrew's, Leytonstone Choir, said: "Mr. Gowan had a fine voice, a good ear for music and a master in his own right on the piano. Music was an important part of his life and he very often organised the Church Guild into producing a play. His sense of humour and enormous insight into people's characters made him popular everywhere.'"
The funeral service at Woodford Parish Church next Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. will be followed by the cremation at the City of London Crematorium at 12:15. Flowers to English & Son Ltd., 190 George Lane, South Woodford, or donations to Cancer Research Fund."
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George (Jim) James GOWAN 
Details of Jim's family with Brenda Irene LOCKS