Background
Gowans was born in Westoe, South Shields in 1872 to Doctor William Gowans of Westoe House.
Gowans was born in Westoe, South Shields in 1872 to Doctor William Gowans of Westoe House.
Gowans was educated at Harrow before matriculating to Clare College, Cambridge in 1890.
Gowans joined the British Army and was posted to the Royal Field Artillery, fighting in South Africa during the Second Boer War, where he reached the rank of major. From March to June 1900 he served in operations around Natal and later around the Zululand Frontier, including the defence of Forts Itala and Prospect. Gowans served his country again during the First World War, serving as a temporary Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Field Artillery, and was mentioned in despatches on another two occasions.
Gowans first came to note as a rugby player when he represented Cambridge University whilst a student at Clare College.
He played in two Varsity Matches in 1892 and 1893, winning two sporting "Blues". Gowans played his rugby on the wing and was first capped for Scotland, while still a Cambridge student, in the 1893 Home Nations Championship, against Wales.
His seven others caps for Scotland were also in Home Nations encounters and he took part in their successful 1895 campaign where they claimed their first ever Triple Crown. lieutenant was during the 1895 tournament that Gowens scored his first international points, scoring a match winning try in the encounter with Wales.
He would score one more try, in his final match, during the 1896 game against England.
In 1891, Gowans played a first-class cricket match for the Marylebone Cricket Club against Cambridge University. Playing as a wicket-keeper, he top scored in their first innings with 40 and wasn"t required to bat in the second. The bowler who dismissed him, Cyril Wells, was also a rugby union international, representing England.
Spouse 1902, Erin Laura Muriel,daughter of William Wheelwright of Durban, Natal.