COWANS, SIR JOHN STEVEN (1862-1921), British general, was born on March i 1, Carlisle, passed through Sandhurst and the Staff college, and held many important staff positions in England and India. In 1912 he became quartermas ter-general, and in 1913 was created K.C.B. The outbreak of the World War thus found Cowans in charge of the provision of food, housing, transport and equipment of troops. This task as sumed gigantic dimensions as the war went on and the armies grew. He continued to direct the department until March 1919. In that year he was promoted general, and received the G.C.M.G. and G.C.B. He died at Mentone on April 16, 1921.
See 0. Rutter, General Sir John Cowans (1924) .