In 1884, at the age of 15, Walter Henry Cowan became a recruit in the Royal Navy, when Britain was still the hegemon of the seas. The little boy had not yet imagined that he would be in trouble 60 years from now, but not on a British warship, but on land.
In the late 19th century, the British Empire played the role of the world's policeman, and the Royal Navy ruled over the Seven Oceans. Two years later, Cowan was promoted to Marine, and he held a number of positions on several warships and traveled the world.
Cowan took part in many British battles around the world. He participated in military operations in South Africa and the Nile in Egypt, serving as an aide to Lord Kitchener, commander-in-chief of the British Army in Egypt, and Lord Roberts, commander of the British South African Expeditionary Force. When France attempted to seize the British colonies, he served as fleet commander-in-chief for East Africa and received the Distinguished Service Award.
He was not yet 30 years old when he was promoted to captain of the battleship USS Prince George. In the heat of World War I, Cowan served as captain of the flagship battlecruiser, HMS Royal Princess.
Honors and promotions followed, and Cowan became a prominent figure in the Royal Navy. In 1919 he received the title of Baron of Nobility and became Sir Walter.
After World War I, he continued to rise through the ranks of the Navy. In 1927, he was awarded the title of Admiral. In 1931, at the age of 62, Sir Walter retired from the army.
In 1939, when World War II broke out, the 70-year-old naval officer could not contain the passion in his heart and joined the army again. Through connections, he secured a position in the newly formed British Commando unit to train dinghy operators. The mission also included raids on German-occupied territory. But when he was sent to North Africa, the old man, who was invincible at sea, finally ran into trouble on land.
During May and June 1942, in Libya, his commando unit was surrounded by German and Italian troops under Rommel's command in the ruins of a Turkish fortress. After firing all the bullets in the revolver, the 73-year-old veteran Navy fell into the hands of the enemy. Hitler ordered Rommel, whether prisoners of war or not, regardless of status and rank, to kill all enemies without leaving them alone. Out of respect for his opponents, Rommel burned the telegram from Berlin and sent the prisoners to the Italian prisoner-of-war camps.
Poor Admiral Sir Walter was put in a prisoner-of-war camp! The image of the retired naval officer's neatness and majesty was greatly challenged, and for the Italians, guarding such a person was also a torture. So, after less than a year in the camp, he was released through the prisoner exchange. He then returned to the commando and in 1944 came to Italy to continue fighting until the end of World War II.
During his nearly 60-year military career, Sir Walter Cowan fought in countless battles and received countless supreme honors. After the end of World War II, he was invited to India to accept the appointment of the 18th Colonel of the King Edward VII Cavalry Battalion. He died on 14 February 1956 at the age of 84. In 2007, the Estonian Navy named a warship "Admiral Cowan". British commandos were also proud of him, as he was one of the oldest fighters in World War II.