William FOWLER, ,O.B.E., M.C.

                   William was a Major in the Black Watch, and at his Funeral many important and influential people, including local dignitaries attended.He had received the award and title of O.B.E. ie. Order of the British Empire and M.C.ie. Military Cross for distinguished and gallant service in the South Africa campaigns.

BURIAL: An article in the Perthshire Advertiser, on the funeral states "Major Fowler was predeceased by his wife several years ago..." Attending the funeral was his brother George from Aberdeen, principal mourners Mrs J.O. Moffat(sister-in-law) and Mrs P.O. Moffat. Pall bearers were Major John Moffat, George Fowler, brother from Aberdeen, W.B. Fowler, F. Fowler and others.

BIOGRAPHY: Thomas B Smyth, Archivist of the Black Watch Museum,Balhousie Castle, Perth, reports " William 'Jock' Fowler was a very well known regimental character. He enlisted and rose through the ranks to become RSM (Regimental Sargeant Major ) and was commissioned during the First World War. I have a small recruiting poster on the wall of my office ,dating I think from the 1920's which shows him in the old full dress uniform of the regiment. When he retired, he was one of the founders of the museum and used to give lectures on regimental history to the new recruits.
He died in 1940.I researched the local newspaper, the Perthshire Advertiser, for a report of his funeral. One brother is mentioned-George Fowler, and two nephews, Mr W B Fowler and Mr R Fowler. His medals and other material came to the museum after his death."
From the Perthshire Advertiser.."Born at Dykshire,Major William Fowler was educated at Delmeis Public School, Nairn, and enlisted in the Black Watch in the early eighties. He served in the South African War during which he was mentioned in dispatches, and passing through the non commissioned ranks, became Lieutenant and Quartermaster in 1911.During the Great War 1 he became Captain in 1915 and ultimately, Major. While serving with the First Battalion, he was three times mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the Military Cross. Subsequently, he was appointed Adjutant and Quartermaster at the small Arms School at Hythe.
Retiring from active service in 1921, he became recruiting officer for the Black Watch area and also acted as Curator of the Regimental Museum at Queen's Barracks. In these capacities he became well known in the district and will also be remembered by hundreds of young to whom he lectured on the history of the regiment. During his army career, he won many trophies for his "crack shooting ". He also had a reputation as a Hammer thrower and Highland Dancer.
Major Fowler was predeceased by his wife several years ago."