Husband of Beatrice Stuart Rae Gowans (formerly Smith), of Adelaide House, Edzell, Brechin, Forfarshire. Son of Charles Smith, merchant, Aberdeen ; born Aberdeen, 5 July 1889; educated at the Grammar School ; student in Agriculture, 1904-05, and 1908-09. Between these years he was for some time in New Zealand sheep farming, and while still very young did some exploring and trading in New Guinea and the South Sea Islands. Later he led a small expedition through Patagonia, his report on this journey was published in the Magazine of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. After his second period as a student in Agriculture he carried on stock farming in Rhodesia. He was an enthusiastic member of the Legion of Frontiersmen, of which he acted for a time as Commandant for Scotland, and raised companies in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. On the outbreak of war he hurried home from Rhodesia and was in rapid succession a member of a New Zealand Corps, an ambulance driver on the Belgian Front, and a horse artilleryman. In February 1915 he obtained a commission in the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry with which, and the 21st Divisional Cyclists, he served till his adventurous and crowded life was ended on 26 January 1916 while he was carrying back a wounded comrade after a bombing raid. For his conduct on this occasion he was mentioned in despatches. He might have been on leave at the time he was killed but wrote home, "What's the good of leave if you haven't done something worth while?" So he sought honour in another gallant adventure and met death.
LG Sup 15 June 1916 pg. 5951 - "For gallant and distinguished service in the field"