Frederick Ernest Bowler
He was a railway company labourer in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frederick (Fred) Ernest was the eldest son of Frederick and Alice Bowler (née Paling).
His father was born in April 1891 and his mother in June 1892 and were married in 1918. They had three sons, Frederick Ernest b. 27 November 1919, Eric Percy b. March 1924 and Herbert W. b. 1928 (JAS).
The family was living at 1 Windmill Lane, Sneinton, when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. Frederick snr. was a street mason, probably with Nottingham Corporation, Frederick a general labourer (permanent way) with a railway company and his brother Eric a van boy. The record of one member of the household, probably that of the youngest son, Herbert, remains closed.
Frederick married Christine Mary Lamb in 1942 (JAS Nottm); the couple lived at 209 Windmill Lane, Sneinton. Their daughter, Mary Christine, was born in April the following year.
Fred's widow Christine married William H Smith in 1946 and his daughter, Mary Christine, married George Smith in 1963; they had two daughters.
Eric married Gladys Buckley in 1950 and his brother Herbert also married (Hilary).
Their father, Frederick, died on 16 December 1969 and their mother Alice in November 1973.
Frederick Ernest joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and died on 14 July 1944 while serving with 211 Field Ambulance.
The Imperial War Museum has an (on-line) photograph of 'ambulance jeeps of 211th Field Ambulance Company, attached to 5th Lancashire Fusiliers, north-west of Caen, 9 July 1944.' (www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205202139)
A report of local casualties in the Nottingham Evening Post recorded that Fred had been 'badly burnt in Normandy' but the family notices gave 'killed'. He is buried in Bayeux War Cemetery (grave ref. XVIII.D.10).
On the opposite side of the road to the Cemetery, which is on the outskirts of the town, is the Bayeux Memorial with the Latin inscription: 'We, once conquered by William, have now liberated the Conqueror’s native land.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC History of Bayeux War Cemetery (extract): 'The Allied offensive in north-western Europe began with the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944. There was little actual fighting in Bayeux although it was the first French town of importance to be liberated. Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth cemetery of the Second World War in France and contains burials brought in from the surrounding districts and from hospitals that were located nearby.' (www.cwgc.org)
Frederick Barlow snr. served in the Great War. He enlisted on 10 December 1915 aged about 24, trade pavior's labourer (Nottingham Corporation), residence Sneinton. He first joined for duty on 17 February 1916 and although his record shows that he was initially posted to the Sherwood Foresters (35974) he was soon posted to 27th Works Company (50788) and subsequently to Agricultural Companies, Labour Corps. It appears that he served at home throughout the war and transferred to the Army Reserve on 3 October 1919; home address 11 Pennyfoot Street, Sneinton. His Army service record also contains documents relating to his claim for a disability pension.
Frederick Ernest's brother-in-law, Lance Serjeant Frederick (Fred) Neville Lamb, Royal Horse Artillery, 107 (The South Notts Hussars) Regiment, was killed in action at Knightsbridge on 27 May 1942 age 22. Commemorated Alamein Memorial, Egypt. (See record on this Roll of Honour)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 29 May 1943: ‘Lamb. L/Sgt Frederick Neville, SNH, killed Knightsbridge, May, 1942. Reunited with his brother [James William, 1931]. We have lost, heaven has gained, two of the best this world contained. Mam, dad, Christine, Fred [Frederick E Bowler, Christine's fiancée].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Births’, 8 April 1943: ‘Bowler. On April 6th, to Fred and Christine (née Lamb), God’s gift of a daughter, Mary Christine.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 26 July 1944: ‘Bowler. July, 1944. Frederick Ernest, killed in action in Normandy, dearly beloved husband of Christine and dearest daddy of baby Mary, 209, Windmill-lane.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 27 July 1944: ‘Local War Casualties. Pte Eric Bowler, RAMC, second son of Mr and Mrs Bowler of 1, Windmill-lane has been badly burnt in Normandy.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 27 July 1944: ‘Bowler. Fred, the devoted son of Fred and Alice, killed in France, dear brother of Eric. Another precious jewel for His crown. Sorrowing mam, dad, Eric, Herbert and Uncle Ernest.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 16 December 1969: ‘Bowler. Fred. Passed away City Hospital, December 16th 1969. Beloved husband of Alice. United with his dear son. Cremation Wilford Hill 11.10am, December 18th.’ Also notices from: son Eric, wife Gladys and two grandchildren [named]; son Herbert and wife Hilary; grandchildren [named]; Mary (Smith), husband George and two great-grandchildren [named]; nephew Jack and family [named]. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 5 November 1973: ‘Bowler. Alice. Rest where shadows never fall, granddaughter Mary [Smith], husband George and two great granddaughters [named].’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Frederick Ernest Bowler
Nottingham Evening Post 27/7/1944
Photo of Frederick Ernest Bowler
Buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France. (www.cwgc.org)