De Ruvigny Roll of Honour Vol 2 page 35
Matthew Bowman was born in Escomb, Bishop Auckland, on the 6th June 1885, son of Robert Bowman, of Dean Street, Bishop Auckland, and his wife Mary Ann, nee Mackenzie.
Matthew was educated at Bishop Auckland Council Schools, and he was employed later as a Miner. Matthew had joined the Territorials, 8th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. In 1911 Matthew was living in High Spen as a boarder at 16 East Street, his occupation was recorded as a Coal Hewer.
On the outbreak of the war he re-enlisted at Gateshead, back into the Durham Light Infantry, on the 21st August 1914.
He had married at Gateshead Register Office on the 23rd August 1913, Katherine [Kate], (nee Dolan), who resided at 30, [35] [39]* Fullerton Place, Gateshead. They had two children, Mary, born 6th June 1914, and Joan, born on the 6th March 1915.
* There is some discrepancies about the residence address as 3 different address numbers are reported. However, 39 seems to be the correct address.
On June 20th a letter was written to the Infantry Record Offices at York from a Mrs Elsie Webb, of 33 Petley Road, Fulham, SW4. asking for the whereabouts of Private, Matthew Bowman, [the address Matthew had stated he was with 10th Battalion, 'B' Company, E Block, Corunna Barracks, Aldershot), she was writing on behalf of her sister, because Matthew "has betrayed the promise of Marriage ".
She was advised by the War Office to write to York, after visiting them a few times. Apparently, Matthew married a Mary Elizabeth Cook, (born 1888), in about (Oct-Nov-Dec) 1907, and had 2 children. One of the children died, and then Mary Elizabeth Bowman (nee Cook) died.
Mr Thomas Cook wrote a letter to the Infantry Record Office at York stating:- I wish to know if you can advise me what to do in case given below, I have a grandchild keeping belonging to a daughter of mine who was the wife of Matthew Bowman of the 10th Durham Light Infantry and having had a paragraph cut out of the Local Paper giving [an] account of the above having died in hospital in France some time ago, my daughter was his first wife who died 8 years ago gone the 3rd of January. I have heard he married again after that and was residing at 39 Fulerton [sic] Road, Gateshead, and as he never came to his wife's funeral or looked after his children, his 2nd baby having died soon after birth and not having his Regimental number did not know how to proceed until being advised to write to your Record Department and as I am getting up in years close on 67 next month, I think there should be something done for his Orphan Child. I will be very glad to have your advice on the matter. I beg to remain, Yours Respectfully, Thomas Cook.
To support this letter he had attached a copy of the marriage certificate and a Registrar certified statement stating that:- I the undersigned, do hereby certify that the birth of Norah Bowman, born on the 14th March 1908 has been duly registered by me at Entry no 6 in my Register no 83. Sd J. ELLIOT Registrar Sub Dist, Hetton-le-Hole.
The Ministry of Pensions recognised the fact, and asked if Mr T, Cook of 14 Mavin Street Durham, would fill in a form to be recognised as the legal Guardian of Norah Bowman.
Matthew served in France and Flanders from the 21st May 1915, his service record shows that he had been fined a few times as well as being confined to Barracks, for discipline breaches and overstaying his leave. Being awarded Field Punishment no 2 on one occasion. He was in the Machine gun section of 'B' Company, and was wounded at Hooge on the 31st July 1915.
Matthew was shot through the left eye, but managed to walk four miles to the Dressing Station, from there he wrote a cheery letter to his parents.
However, he died in the 23 General Hospital at Etaples from his wounds on the 11th August 1915. The Post Office Telegram states that :- No 23 General Hospital, Etaples, reports that 14972 Pte, Bowman in 10th Durham L. I. died 6.15pm, 11th August G [Gun] S [Shot] W [Wounds] Head and neck. Nearest relative wife Mrs Katherine (sic) Bowman 39 (sic) Fullerton Place, Deckham, Gateshead, Durham.
In his army will he stated "In the event of my death I give all of my property to my wife Katherine Bowman, 39 Fullerton Place, Deckham, Gateshead, Co Durham."
His widow eventually received a pension of 18/6d awarded to her from the 14th February 1916.
De Ruvigny Roll of Honour
