Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a Labourer by Occupation, Joseph Cowan was 18 years and single when enlisted on the 5th of March 1917 in the 58th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 3369. His Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A16 'Port Melbourne' on the 16th of July 1917. Admitted to Hospital sick – Influenza on the 9th of September 1918, Rouen. Proceeded overseas on leave to Paris, France on the 28th of December 1918; admitted to the 10th Field Ambulance Gingivitis, Field Hospital sick on the 25th of January 1919; admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital on the 6th of February 1919 Gonorrhoea, Abbeville; Invalided to U.K. and embarked for England from Grantually Castle on the 6th of February 1919. Marched into 2nd training Battalion on the 25th of March 1919; marched in from No 2 Camp Parkhouse on the 26th of March 1919. Returned to Australia per 'Sardinia' ex England on the 19th of April 1919. Disembarked on the 8th of June 1919 and Discharged from the 3rd Military District on the 8th of July 1919. Tree No. 2931