John Bowman

RankPrivate 285083
MedalsBritish War Medal, Victory Medal
Regiment1st/6th Battalion Artillery
Military Service

Nothing is known for certain about Bowman’s military service. He was not entitled to the 1914-15 Star so did not reach a theatre of war until 1916 at the earliest. By this date it is possible he was a conscript and not a volunteer. It also seems possible that he did not choose the Gordon Highlanders, part of 51st (Highland) Division, but was drafted to them as part of reinforcements.

Born

7th January 1881, Dennistoun, Glasgow

Death31st July 1917
Circumstances of Death

Killed in action.
Nothing is known about the circumstances of Bowman’s death. The Gordon Highlanders took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, part of the first day of Third Ypres (Passchendaele).

Age36
BurialWood Cemetery, V. B. 7

John Bowman’s body and those of four companions, were exhumed from their temporary graves and reburied at Artillery Wood Cemetery in September 1919. Bowman’s body was identified by its ID disc.

CWGC Information

Son of William Bowman, of Glasgow; husband of Margaret Napier Bowman, of 4, Dudley Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow.

Parents

William Bowman(c1840-1920) & Annie S Mclean(c1851-1928)

Father's Occupation

Music seller

Siblings

William (1869-1897), James (1872-1915), Margaret S (1874-), Ann M (c1877-), Jessie J (1881-), Alice B (c1882-), Edith F (c1885-)

Spouse

Margaret Napier married 1909, Partick, Glasgow

Education

Not known

Occupation

Optician’s assistant

1881 Census

9 Bellgrove Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow

1891 Census

Apsley Place, Gorbals, Glasgow

1901 Census

21 Apsley Place, Gorbals, Glasgow

1911 Census

12 Willowbank Street, Glasgow

Home Address

Not known

Glasgow NecropolisCompartment Upsilon Lair 36
Other Memorials

Scottish National War Memorial

Acknowledgements and Sources

 

Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below.  The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to Ancestry, and Find my past.

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Family Search

 

Scotlands People

 

The Long, Long Trail

 

The Scottish War Memorials Project

 

6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, War Diary June 1916 – September 1918. (TNA WO 95/2868/1)

t.s4.bizhat.com

6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, War Diary June 1916 – September 1918. (TNA WO 95/2868/1)

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Credits

Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.

 
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