John COWLING - When did he return from Canada?

[Brentor boy]

John Cowling, born 1873, Brentor, Tavistock, Devon, a stonemason, sailed on board "Olympic" in April 1914, bound for New York. On arrival at Ellis Island his declared destination was North Bay, Ontario. He had visited Canada at least twice before. His travelling companion was Christopher Postlethwaite, also of Brentor but originally from Perranporth, Cornwall.

I have found record of Christopher's arrival back in Liverpool from Montreal in November 1914 but have yet to trace the return of John. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[t mo]

hi
found this incoming passenger record for a john cowling born 1874 arrival date 1 dec 1912 from montreal occ on list labour ! ship name megantic .
regards
trevor

[tina morana]

A lot of the men on the ship's manifest were listed as labour instead of labourer.
So John came back in 1912, if he is your man, and sailed again in 1914.
Are you sure he came back from Canada?
Cheers
Tinam 

[Brentor boy]

Thanks, Trevor and Tinam.

The 1912 entry is for his return from his second trans-Atlantic journey and, yes, I am have no doubt he returned from his later trip - probably in 1914/5.

[tina morana]

Okies. I just wish I had Directories for the area to find John back in UK. I see his Mum Mary Ann, while widowed young kept up the farm with the help of Rosina and Charles at Brentor Devon.
Perhaps died aged 69 in 1918 Tavistock rego.
Tinam

[Brentor boy]

O K Tina, now that you've found the family, I can tell you that Charley was the principal beneficiary of his mother's will - you have the correct death - and almost immediately sold a property he had inherited to his brother, John. Therefore John was back in UK by 1918. I also believe he was the local parish council chairman for a period during the Great War although I have no documentary evidence of this.

[Brentor boy]

Is anyone able to check the passenger list of the ship on which Christopher Postlethwaite returned to the UK? It is just possible that John Cowling travelled with him but that some how, either in recording or in transcription, his name has become mangled and not immediately recognisable.

[tina morana]

Hi can you give us a year when Christopher was born please?
Cheers

Tinam 

[Brentor boy]

March Quarter 1895 - Perranporth, Cornwall