LEST WE FORGET 91 COWIE, Donald Macarthur WWII Donald Macarthur Cowie was born on May 31, 1912, in Neudorf, Saskatchewan, the fourth member of the Cowie family. When a little boy in 1918, along with other members of the family, he was severely ill with Spanish Influenza.When the danger had passed, although great care was still needed, he was asked one day what he cared to have for dinner, he replied, “a yard of sausage”. Donald received his early education in Kindersley, but his high school course was taken in Saskatoon where his family had moved. On completing the course at Nutana Collegiate, he attended Normal School in Saskatoon. Later, he took charge of a country school where he taught for two years before attending the University of Saskatchewan, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. During his course, Donald was keenly interested in sports, particularly tennis. From time to time, he was a winner or keen competitor in many events. Having obtained a degree in science from the University, he again engaged in educational work as assistant principal in one of the public schools in Saskatoon. When a lad going to collegiate, a friendship developed between him and Margaret Mary MacIntyre which increased as the years went by. Peggy, as she was familiarly called, also attended the University in Saskatoon and graduated in arts. Donald and Peggy were married in December 1939. When World War II developed such proportions that it became apparent it was in reality a world of struggle, Donald offered his services in the Air Force, but action coming slowly, he volunteered in the Army and was accepted. He enlisted with the Saskatoon Light Infantry and for one-and-a-half years served as an instructor at Three Rivers. Later, he was sent to Gordon Head, Victoria to take an officers’ course, then to Three Rivers, to Long Branch, to Brockville and finally back to Three Rivers. By this time, he had obtained the rank of Captain and was offered the rank of Major if he would continue to instruct in Canada. Donald felt he was young and strong and someone less able to bear the brunt could instruct, so he chose to go to the front. In 1943, he went to England with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa. Along with others, a few days after V-E Day, he crossed the English Channel into France and was engaged in the thick of the fight. He assisted by his followers and was assigned the task of seeing if the area from which the Germans had retreated was safe from mines. While engaged in this work, Sgt. King stepped on a mine, which, when it exploded, wounded him severely. Donald ran to his aid and as he lifted him there was a second explosion which killed both of them. They were buried side by side in an orchard in France awaiting their removal to a Canadian cemetery there. “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.”
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