Thomas Bowers
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Records also in the name of BOWER. Thomas Bowers was born in Worksop in 1869 (J/F/M Basford) and was probably the son of Edward and Sarah Bower (sic). Thomas married Elizabeth Walker in 1898 (O/N/D Newark, Bower/Walker). His wife Elizabeth was born on 12 November 1869. Elizabeth was probably the daughter of George Hewston (also Heuston) and Sarah Elizabeth Walker who married in 1877 (O/N/D Southwell) after their daughter's birth; the family lived lived in Southwell. In 1901 Thomas, an iron moulder, and Elizabeth were living at 4 Eldon Street, Newark, and they were still at the same address in 1911, then with their daughter Daisy (2) who was born in Newark on 16 February 1909. According to the census they had two children, both living, but it seems likely that Daisy was their only surviving child. There is a record of the birth of a George Bower in 1898 (O/N/D Newark, Bower/Walker) who died the same year. Thomas' widow was still living at 4 Eldon Street at the time of his death in October 1914 but she too died the same year on 30 December 1914 (O/N/D Newark). There are four index cards in the WW1 Pension Ledgers for Thomas Bower. The first (Bowers) names his dependants as his widow Elizabeth and their daughter Daisy and also records Elizabeth's death on 30 December 1914. The second index card (Bower) names Daisy and a guardian, Minnie Hewston, of Southwell Nottinghamshire. Minnie Hewston was the wife of Thomas George (George) Hewston (also Heuston), a lace maker and licensed victualler who was Elizabeth Bower's brother. In 1911 George and Minnie lived at the George & Dragon, Church Street, Southwell, with their two children Ernest and Gladys. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, George (b. 20 July 1881), a licensed victualler, and his wife Minnie (b. 11 October 1879) were living on High Street, Lincoln, together with Daisy b. 16 February 1909 (described as married, surnames given variously as Bower, Cowan and Hassett), who was recorded as 'deaf and dumb, dependant'. Minnie died on 7 December 1941 and although her husband survived her probate was awarded to her married daughter Gladys Leach (m. Percy Leach 1926 O/N/D Newark). The third index card records the transfer of guardianship from Minnie Hewston (deceased) to her married daughter, Gladys Leach of High Street, Lincoln. The fourth index card refers to Thomas' dependant Miss Bower c/o the Royal School for the Deaf, Manchester. Daisy has not yet been traced after this period.
Private Thomas Bowers enlisted at Newark and served in the National Reserve, 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters. On 9th October 1914 he was guarding the tubular bridge over the river Trent at Newark when he was struck and killed by an express train. He was buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire (grave ref. N.C.C.299).
Retford & Worksop Herald & North Notts Advertiser, 13 & 20 October 1914: ‘Soldier Killed at Newark. Private Thomas Bowers, a member of the National Reserve at Newark, engaged in bridge guarding, was on Friday afternoon knocked down by a Great Northern express and received injuries which proved fatal. Deceased, who resided at 4, Eldon-place, Eldon-street, and was 46 years of age, went along the line, with Private Robinson, to fetch a bucket of water. On returning they carried the bucket between them and when about 30 years past the Midland crossing deceased, who was nearest the permanent way, was caught by an express train. He was removed on a light engine to the Newark (GN) railway station where he was attended by Dr. Hine. Afterwards, he was taken on the police ambulance to the Newark Hospital in a precarious condition. He died at 5.45 pm.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
