Alan Cowieson

born July 16 1927

died February 25 2015

Alan Cowieson, who has died aged 87, was a soldier, who later became a youth leader and a justice of the peace.

Born in Partick in 1927, he was the eldest of five children, his siblings were Peter, who outlives him, sister Chris and brothers Sam and Douglas.

His father was often absent and when home, relationships were difficult. His mother, Elizabeth, often found it hard to cope on her own with 5 children. Alan was regularly taken out of school from early primary stage to support his mother and siblings.

He learned the three R's on his own working in the local library when he was supposed to be gathering firewood or coal to sell.

His children never understood why he was so adamant that they should all work hard with homework and yet he would rarely help. He couldn't, as he had no real knowledge of what was required but he was determined his three children, Ann, Douglas and Andrew, would get an education.

Alan left home, aged 13, in 1940 and joined the army, Argyle and Southern Highlanders Regiment, lying about his age. He often said these were the best years of his life and provided him with education, discipline and an enduring love of sport.

He became a PTI and travelled the world in what he considered the best possible job. He quickly moved through the ranks to become a sergeant major in the Army Physical Training Corps. During his service he fought in Korea and as part of the SAS he served with the Chindits guarding Hong Kong during the time when Chairman Mao chased Chang Kai Shek to the South China Sea and threatened to invade the British base of Hong Kong.

He had just been allocated a place at Sandhurst to train as an officer when he was discharged after the death of his young brother, Douglas, in 1951 and at the request of his mother. Whilst being devastated by the discharge he sought similar challenges and opportunities in civilian life.

Seriously injured in an accident on one of the ferries during a temporary job after discharge from the army, he was rushed to the RAI hospital where, he met Ethel, whom he married on 22nd February 1952.

Alan and Ethel started their life together moving to Edinburgh where Alan took up a post of head of Craigmillar Boys Club. After 4 good years turning Craigmillar Boys Club in to a successful sporting, educational and cultural hub for disadvantaged boys Alan and Ethel moved back to Glasgow where he would take up the post of Welfare Officer for Glasgow Veteran Seafarers Association.

Again he built a popular and successful service for veteran seamen and women where they enjoyed a range of social, educational and health activities.

It was from this venue in Brown Street that he arranged refreshments and a base for the firefighters responding to the tragic fire in James Watt Street in 1968 where people working in a furniture factory, previously a whisky bond, were burned to death behind iron bars on windows and a locked door. 17 men and 5 women died that day. His family never saw him so visibly moved and upset.

After a few years Alan took up a post with Glasgow Corporation's Youth Service. The service was small and patchy but there was a commitment to professionalise and cover the city. Within a couple of years Glasgow Youth and Community Service was established followed by Strathclyde Community Education Service. Alan served as an Area Officer in several areas of the city along with special assignments, overseeing Youth exchanges abroad and major youth sporting events such as boxing and athletics. He was accompanied by Councillor Bill Harley when he took the first ever youth exchange in to China in 1979.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Glasgow in 1970 and served for several years.

In his leisure time he was involved with the Scottish Basketball Association, one of his favourite sports. Many weekends were spent as match official in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

One of Alan's proudest achievements was Camp 77, a week's residential camp in Perthshire where 100 disadvantaged boys from across Glasgow benefited from a programme of sport, art and social activities.

For the first time in such an initiative 10 disabled boys from East Park Home were included. He felt that getting the boys away for a week in fresh air, introducing them to the countryside and to sports and challenging games would be beneficial to them as they grew into young men.

At the launch of the initiative where he was recruiting the volunteers and looking for donations he appeared in his shorts and t shirt from a tent beside a fake camp fire on a stage miming to Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh by Alan Sherman.

He gave a compelling story of what the camp would be like. He spoke as if he was there and described all of the wonderful activities the youngsters would experience and why this would make a difference to them.

On the first day 99 boys turned up at the meeting point in Glasgow, one short of his target, and were transported to Dalguise. A day later Alan received a phone call from a neighbouring farmer informing him about a young hitchhiker looking for the camp. 100 boys - as planned!

Alan loved nothing more than responding to other people's needs. He set up Langside Dolphins, a swimming club for local children in the early 1960s negotiating the use of the pool at Langside College and a swimming session for people who were blind or partially sighted at Calder Street pool in response to neighbour Donald's desire for a swim where he could be safe.

Ann, Douglas and Andrew started their own families, giving Alan and Ethel five grandchildren, Sarah in 1978, Fraser in 1983, Alastair in 1986, David in 1987 and Ross in 1992. All benefited from his terrible sense of humour, his sporting enthusiasm and his wisdom and advice.

Keeping fit was always important to him and he regularly ran, walked and challenged all to games of squash.

Sadly Ethel developed early onset dementia but Alan proved a devoted husband and carer. In the early stages of her illness he encouraged her to be independent and continue as many of her daily pursuits as possible. For a number of years though he was her full time carer and never complained or reneged in his duty and love for her.

When she died in 1992, he was devastated by her loss but went on to marry Rozie, who had been a clerical worker in his office years previously. They shared a love of travel, eating out and gardening and moved to Innellan, near Dunoon where Alan ran the local over 50s fitness classes at the local gym well in to his late 70s.

When he began to show significant signs of dementia he desperately fought to maintain his independence. With time, and the care and attention of staff, he settled to his new home at Kincaid House, Greenock for his last years.

Alan's humour and level of energy struck a chord with everyone he met. He loved nothing better than meeting new people, sharing a conversation and laughter. It was impossible to stay straight faced in his company. He will be sadly missed.

Ann Hamilton, Douglas and Andrew Cowieson