Hi all, We were staying with a family in Belgium last weekend and our friends showed us some things that were found in his fathers farm house attic. There is some sort of hood made out of a waxed material, a pair of smoked goggles and a book with the owners name and date written in it. I hope someone seeing these pictures can enlighten us as to what the things are and who the person is.
I'd say the googles are a cut down gas mask, as well as the strap that's there it appears there have been another 2 straps at the top - the hood is a British Anti-Gas helmet cover Alistair
I read his name as Alexander Cowau - and there are a number of Cowau's born & bred in Scotland - as I dont have access to Scottish records perhaps some more research in that area might help. I believe there were Scottish regiments around that area in 1940 - the Black Watch for example Battle for the Escaut 1940 TD
I think I would go for Alexander Cowan, the 'n' in both names looks the same? By the way - what is the book, any clues?
The name appears/banner to be Alexander Cowan, Croix 1940. The glass appears to be similar to that found in old welding gear. Perhaps an Engineer? Best, Steve.
Standard in WW2 until about 1943 The goggles look as if they are cut out of one of the WW I early gas hoods
Seems to be the same as this Belgian Gas Mask SACIC M1934 WW2 same maker marks etc - I'm guessing cut down post war to make goggles - welding or motorbike or something
Possibly : 1489728 Gunner Alexander COWAN 9 Battey 3rd Searchlight Regiment Royal Artillery Enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1938 Originally posted as missing, now not missing in France 1940 The war diary would confirm if the unit were in Croix, Belgium in 1939/40
Could be but the eye pieces appear larger on the M1934. I would agree on the reasons for the cut down - except that gas mask goggles would be useless in avoiding weld flash - but it's a matter of post which war.
They appear to have tinted lenses (like sun glasses), so could they be used by a Searchlight Regiment Gunner trying to avoid very bright light/glare or flash; Guy’s message No. 10 refers?!? Best, Steve.
Whilst a search on either of the 2 main genealogical sites for the surname Cowau produces a few results I have yet to find an actual record showing this name exists. These sites use text reading software and in every case I have seen it is Cowan where poor imaging has caused the software to misread it. Happy to be proved wrong.
It was translated AFAIK by Richard Burton - the Victorian explorer not the actor - and was in its day a best seller