Captain Carlton Valentine de Mornay Cowper (14 February, 1865 – 28 June, 1918) was an officer whose middle name is clearly a fond reference to his date of birth!
Life and Career
Cowper was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 April 1888, and to Commander on 30 June, 1901.
He was appointed in command of Psyche on 6 November 1905. Vice Admiral Fawkes, Commander-in-Chief, Australian Station took notice of Cowper's keen interest in training his crew.
In late 1909 Cowper was admitted to Haslar Naval Hospital for treatment of a hernia. He was going to be appointed in command of the first class protected cruiser Spartiate on 4 January 1910, but his recovery from the hernia was going slowly as he was still in Osborne Convalescent Home and so this appointment was cancelled in favour of Empress of India on 25 February 1910. He was sent back to Haslar in September 1910 for an inguinal hernia and not found fit until November.
Cowper was placed on the Retired List at his own request with the rank of Captain on 10 January 1912.
The Great War
Cowper reported to help with Special Transport Duties on the books of President in August 1914. He retired again on 30 May 1916.
Cowper was killed on 28 June 1918 when S.S. Queen was torpedoed by U 53 off the northwest point of Spain. It is not clear whether he was in naval service at the time.