Illustrated Chronicle
Medal Card
Medal Card
Derek Johnstone has provided the following:
Christopher Bowman was born at Gateshead in 1890 to parents Joseph Bowman, from Gateshead, and Elizabeth Bowman from Heworth, Durham.
Christopher Bowman would have been one year old in 1891 however census reports for that year have not been located.
In 1901 Christopher, aged 11, was living at 27, Burney (sic) Villas, Gateshead where his father Joseph, was a coal miner.
In 1909 Christopher married Martha and they were living at 73, Yard Row, Netherton Northumberland. They had a daughter in 1911 Mary Hannah who was born on the 8th November. At this time Christopher was 21.
Military records show that in 1909 Christopher was in the Durham Light Infantry for a period between 8th April 1909 and 10th June 1909, a period of 64 days with the service number 762. The reason for his discharge was shown as misconduct.
He then enlisted in Gateshead to re-join Durham Light Infantry, used the alias Joseph Bowman, his father's name. He served from 20th April 1915 to 24th June 1915 when he was killed in action. He was 5 foot 7½ inches tall.
Christopher embarked at Folkestone on 20th April 1915 to Boulogne where he arrived same day. He was killed in action at Kemmel and was buried in the Kemmel Church yard. He was 25 years old.
Correspondence sent in 8th October 1915 showed his wife, Mrs Martha Bowman, was living at 73, Yard Row Netherton. The record also shows (over stamped) in 18 Feb 1920 she had remarried. His effects went to his widow Mrs M Bowman (Martha) and the pension awarded to her was 15 shillings per week. His Memorial Scroll was signed for by Mrs M. Markham, his widow who, on re-marrying, had moved to 16, Quarry Row, Houghton-le-Spring County Durham.
Christopher J. Bowman is remembered in the D.L.I. Book of Remembrance page 161.
