Thiepval Memorial
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Fred Bowman was born August 1889 in the district of Bishop Auckland, one of two known children, 2 boys, born to Joseph Bowman 1862 a coal miner born in Old Coundon and his wife Mary Ann 1863 a native of Sunderland.
Fred Bowman married Jane Ann Mosley and went on to have several children of whom two were boys. Frederick enlisted in Newcastle upon Tyne, January 14th 1915 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment as Private 16755 declaring that he was a coal hewer, he underwent training in England. His wife who was pregnant at the time of his enlistment gave birth to a baby boy, April 4th 1915, Baby Thomas died 5 days later April 9th 1915 at their home at 55 Regent Road, Gosforth, of an obstruction of the bowel. In order that the Registrar issue a death certificate Fred’s regiment was requested to advance 2 shillings and 7 pence for a death certificate.
Private 16755 Fred Bowman was mobilised and sent to France June 29th 1915 arriving the following day at Le Havre and sent on to the Western Front as part of the 18th Brigade, 6th Division. He received a gunshot wound September 18th 1915 and was taken by the 86th Field Ambulance to the 9th General Hospital at Rouen and did not return to his regiment until December 8th 1915. The 1st Battalion E.Y.R. November 26th was transferred to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. Fred again needed medical attention for a haematoma on his foot May 31st 1916 but was back in the field two weeks later June 12th. By now the preparations were well underway for the upcoming battles on the Somme. His military record states that he was wounded on the first day of the Somme July 1st 1916, during the Battle of Albert, however the Register of Soldiers Effects states he was killed on or since that day. The C.W.G.C have adopted this date and state that Private 16755 Fred Bowman was killed in action July 1st 1916. Fred has no known grave, his sacrifice is recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, France, pier and face 2C. Thiepval Memorial records the names of the 72,246 British and South African officers and men who perished on the Somme between 1915 and 1918.
Fred was 27 years old and left his widow Jane Ann and children who received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914-15 Star, British war Medal and Victory Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Fred Bowman is remembered at Craghead on C120.01 and C120.04
