Beginning in 1967 Gowans demonstrated his writing capacity when, with John Larsson, co-authored ten full-length stage musicals.

He was then appointed national stewardship secretary, while his wife combined her role as organiser of the International Youth Fellowship with work in one of the Army's maternity homes in London.

After a period as divisional leaders in Manchester, UK, Gowans, then a lieutenant-colonel, became chief secretary of the France Territory.

When Gowans retired in 2002, his earlier musical partner John Larsson succeeded him as the next international leader of The Salvation Army.

[2] His funeral service took place at the William Booth Memorial Buildings, Denmark Hill, London on Friday 14 December 2012.