Eugene Pomeroy Cowles died suddenly on July 25th, 1935, at the age of 46, whilst making an underground inspection at the East Geduld mines, of which he was general manager.
Canadian by birth, he entered McGill University, Montreal, in September, 1906, and obtained the degree of B.Sc. in mining engineering. During his four year course he won the General proficiency prize each year, and graduated at the head of his class with first-class honours in all mining and geological subjects.
On leaving the University he went to South Africa, and was employed on the Simmer Deep, Ltd., and Princess Estate & Gold Mining Co., Ltd., until April, 1915, when he obtained a commission in the Royal Engineers and served in the 170th and 176th Tunnelling Companies. He was wounded and lost his left hand while on service, but he was not seriously incapacitated, and in April, 1919, he returned to South Africa and successively held the position of underground manager on the Princess Estate mine, mining engineer in the employ of the Union Corporation, Ltd., acting general manager, Geduld Proprietary, underground and general manager, Modderfontain Deep Levels, Ltd., and finally general manager, Geduld Proprietary Mines, Ltd.
Mr. Cowles was elected a Member of the institution in 1927.
Vol. 45, Trans I.M.M. 1935-36, p. 511
