Willington Cemetery
71683 Gunner
G.H. Bowes
Royal Field Artillery
March 21st 1918 Age 27
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Henderson Bowes was born at Willington in 1895, one of 10 children of whom only 6 survived he was the youngest of 2 sons and had 1 elder and 3 younger sisters. His father Thomas Bowes native of Shadforth, County Durham where he was baptised November 18th 1858, married in the district of Durham in 1883 to Annie Trotter born at Birtley, County Durham in 1864. Working as a coal miner Thomas and his wife and family settled in 1891 at Gray’s Row, Stockley, near Willington. By 1901 they had moved to 38, Railway Row and he had been promoted to deputy overman whilst his eldest son John (14) was employed as a pony driver. John was married by 1911 and had left home however George (16) was now old enough to work at the mine and he too was a pony driver, his elder sister Eleanor (20) was a cleaner at the Literary Institute, Elizabeth (13) and Edith (11) were scholars, Margaret (7) appears to be at home with her mother. The family now lived at 121, School Row, Page Bank, Spennymoor.
It was at Spennymoor that George Henderson Bowes enlisted on the outbreak of war and was assigned to the Royal Field Artillery where he was trained and served as Gunner 71863. Gunner Bowes departed to France September 27th 1915 to serve on the Western Front.
Unfortunately, his military record no longer exists, one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements.
Either suffering from illness of wounds he was repatriated and eventually admitted to the 1st General Hospital Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, (now better known as the Royal Victoria Infirmary) where Gunner 71863 George Henderson Bowes died, March 21st 1918. He was 23 years old and single.
At the expense of his family his body was take to Willington where he was interred grave 3. “C” R.60. with full military honours and listed with the CWGC, which implies his death was attributed to his war service.
Money owed to him by the Army was divided between R.P. Blackhead who received 17 shillings 8 pence, his mother Annie 16 pounds 16 shillings and 7 pence and his father Thomas 14 pounds 10 shillings. His awards of the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal were sent to their home address of 121, School Row, Page Bank, Spennymoor.
1918 was truly a tragic year for the Bowes family, George’s death preceded that of his mother Annie Bowes nee Trotter who died during the 4th quarter (Oct/Nov/Dec) 1918 aged 54 years as did his sister Mrs Eleanor Gulliver nee Bowes aged 28 years, leaving her husband with 3 children all under the age of 6 and his brother John Bowes, November 21st 1918. All three deaths coming so close together may very well be attributed to the Spanish flu pandemic, which lasted from January 1918 to December 1920. Thomas Bowes died during the 2nd quarter (Apr/May/Jun) 1946 aged 87 years.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Coroner's Report Number 125 22nd March 1918:
"George Henderson Bowes, aged 23 years. No 71683 Gunner Royal Field Artillery. Home address 106 School Row, Page Bank, Spenymoor. Died in 1st Northern General Hospital at 12 noon on 21st."
After enquirer the Coroner granted a Certificate. No inquest necessary, Injured at seat of War."
He is remembered at Willington on W120.02 and at Whitworth on W118.01
