Richard Cowie was an Army Chaplain in World War I stationed in the Middle East. He was with General Allenby´s forces in Palestine in 1917 and 1918.

After the defeat of the Turks there was a great shortage of food among the people. A man who was begging bread for his family was befriended by Richard Cowie, and the man insisted on [gifting him] his crucifix. This was probably in early 1918.