Name
James Bowler
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/02/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
202150
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE
III. A. 3
France
Headstone Inscription
In loving remembrance from Mum, Dad, sisters and brothers. R.I.P
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin War Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, Not on the Letchworth memorials
Pre War
He was the son of James and Mary James Bowler of 11A, Bridge Street, Hitchin. Another address given for his parents is 89, Campers Rd, Letchworth.
He lived in Hitchin and before joining the army had been a driver of a Shell petrol cart. Later he worked for Innes & Son & King's engineering works.
Wartime Service
James enlisted in March 1916 and went to France in June 1916. He was posted to the l/7th Middlesex Regiment which was in the 167th Brigade of the 56th Division and was given the Regimental Number T.F. 202150. He was killed in action.
From the 1st January 1917 the 1/7th Battalion were in trenches at Neuve Chapelle. The circumstances of his death were that he was protecting a party laying out wire when he was hit in the head by a chance shot. He died within two hours and was buried in a little cemetery behind the lines. A cross was put over his grave.
His grave is in Plot III, Row A, Grave 3 at the Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, Nord in France. A private inscription on the stone reads "In loving remembrance from Mum, Dad, sisters and brothers. R.I.P."
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
