Education
Wellington College.
Wellington College.
Educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military Academy Woolwich, Cowley was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1925. He was awarded the Albert Medal which he subsequently exchanged for the George Cross because of his action during the Balochistan earthquake of May 1935. He served in the Second World War in the Middle East, Italy and North West Europe.
He was then appointed Vice Quartermaster-General in 1956, Controller of Munitions at the Ministry of Supply in 1957 and Master-General of the Ordnance in 1960.
He retired in 1962. He was also Colonel Commandant of the Royal Engineers from 1961 to 1970.