Name
Frederick Charles Bowskill
21 October 1898
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/08/1917
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
42807
Machine Gun Corps
164th Company
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 56
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Knebworth Village Memorial, Knebworth (old), St. Martin’s Church Memorial, Knebworth (New), St. Martin’s Church Roll of Honour, Knebworth (New), St. Martin’s Church Framed Memorial, Knebworth (New)
Pre War
Frederick Charles Bowskill was born in Pimlico, London on 21 October 1898, the son of Charles and Matilda Bowskill. He was one of eight children, but two died in infancy. He was baptised on 12 December 1898 at St Saviour's Church, Pimlico at which time they were living at 17 Pulford Street.
The family remained in Pulford Street in 1901 at which time his father was working as a music engraver for music printers. By 1911 the family had moved to Knebworth and were living at 65 Pondcroft Road. Before enlistment Frederick was employed by Messrs Smith & Sons bookstalls in Welwyn and Knebworth.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hornsey and joined the Machine Gun Corps as a Private. At some point he was promoted to Lance Corporal.
Frederick was reported as Missing in Action on 1 August 1917 whilst the Company was involved in the Third Battle of Ypres, more commonly referred to as the Battle of Passchendaele. A report in the Hertfordshire Express of 1917 titled "Knebworth Soldier Shot by Sniper" adds more information. His sister Miss Bowskill received the news of his death from Frederick's Sergeant: "It is with great sympathy that I write to inform you of the death in action of your dear brother, Fred. It was during the big advance July 30. All went well until the enemy counter-attacked and Fred was firing his gun to the last. He was shot through the head by a sniper, and died immediately. I shall feel his loss very much indeed, as I have always taken a great interest in him. We could always rely on him to do the right thing at the right time. His death will be it greater blow to you, as you were expecting him home in a few days. His chums ask me to convey their deep sympathy to your family."
Frederick has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £8 and pay owing of £2 15s 11d and his mother received a pension of 3s 6d a week, later increased to 5s a week.
His parents later lived at Station Road, Knebworth (1921 Census).
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Paul Johnson, Jonty Wild
