Leonard Francis Bowen
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- Military History
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Leonard Francis was the son of Thomas and Lavinia Bowen (née Short). His father Thomas was born in Kenley, Cressage, Shropshire, in 1872, the son of Thomas, an agricultural labourer, and his wife Mary. He was baptised at Kenley parish church in July 1872 and in 1881 was living in Kenley with his parents and two siblings. His mother Lavinia was born in Swansea, Glamorganshire, in March 1876, the daughter of Philip Short, a tan yard labourer, and Mary Ann Rosina Short. Lavinia was baptised at Swansea Christ Church on 9 April 1876. Thomas and Lavinia were married at Swansea St James in August 1895 and had five children, one of whom died in infancy or childhood. Their three sons were born in Kenley and their daughter in Mansfield: Leonard Francis b. 1896 bap. Kenley September 1896; John Edward b. 1897 bap. Kenley December 1897; Charles b. 25 July 1899 bap. Harley Salop 27 August 1899 and Ivy Florence b. 1909. Thomas, a groom and domestic gardener, Lavinia and their sons Leonard, John and Charles were living in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, in 1901. However, they had moved to Mansfield by 1909 when their daughter Ivy was born and in 1911 were living at 134 Nottingham Road, Mansfield. Thomas was a horseman and carter, Leonard a pawnbroker's errand boy, and John and Charles were still at school; Ivy was two years old. All three sons served in the war and the youngest, Charles, was killed in May 1918, eight months after Leonard's death. The CWGC records for Leonard and Charles give two different addresses for their parents: 29 Nottingham Road, Mansfield (Leonard) and 132 Nottingham Road (Charles). However, by 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Thomas and Lavinia were living at 27 Brunt Street, Mansfield. Thomas was a part-time gardener and church caretaker and Lavinia was also a caretaker, presumably at the same church as her husband. Also in the home were John Edward, an engine driver with the London Midland Scottish Railway, and Ivy Florence, who was described as an invalid and 'dependent on parents.' Thomas died in 1944 and Lavinia in 1950.
2/5th Bn East Lancashire Regiment. Formerly 80410, Notts & Derby Regiment Leonard Francis was reported missing on 9 October 1917 but his death on that date was not confirmed until January 1918. He is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium (grave ref. XIX.H.6). CWGC - History of Tyne Cot Cemetery (extract): 'Tyne Cot Cemetery is located in an area which was known as the Ypres Salient where Commonwealth, French, Belgian and German forces fought almost continuously throughout the First World War. In 1917, British forces launched the Third Battle of Ypres, which raged from July to November. Forces from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa fought to push the Germans off the low ridges that dominate the area. On 4 October 1917, during the phase known as the Battle of Passchendaele, the 3rd Australian Division captured a group of German bunkers on the ridge below the village of Passchendaele. One of these bunkers was unusually large and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture. From 6 October 1917 to the end of March 1918, 343 graves were made, on two sides of it, by the 50th (Northumbrian) and 33rd Divisions, and by two Canadian units. The cemetery was in German hands again from 13 April to 28 September, when it was finally recaptured, with Passchendaele, by the Belgian Army. Tyne Cot Cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when remains were brought in from the battlefields of Passchendaele and Langemarck, and from a few small burial grounds, including the following [listed].' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Not my will but Thine O Lord' His two brothers also served, John with Highland Light Infantry and Charles with the Durham Light Infantry. Charles was killed in action on 27 May 1918. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Report of Charles' death published 14th June 1918 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times, which also mentions Leonard:- “SECOND SOLDIER SON KILLED. “Much sympathy is extended to Mr. and Mrs: Thomas Bowen, of 132, Nottingham-road, Mansfield, upon the death in action of their youngest son, Pte. Charles Bowen, of the Durham Light Infantry, who only attained his 18th birthday in July last. He was called to the Colours, from the Mansfield Colliery, on Sept. 17th last, and after being at Durham for some months, he was drafted to France last Easter. In January he came home for the purpose of visiting his brother. Pte. John Bowen, who was then in hospital at Lincoln, but apart from that he received no further leave prior to going overseas, a fact his parents regard as the hardest part of their great sacrifice. “It is only some eight months ago since Mr. and Mrs. Bowen lost their eldest son, Pte. Leonard F. Bowen, who was officially reported killed in October last. The deceased young soldier, who attended the Parish Church, was lad of fine character, and particularly devoted to his home and parents, who received the news of their son's death in the following letter from the Rev. A. H. Streeton, C.F.:— “Dear Mrs. Bowen, :— I write as chaplain to the D.L.I. to offer you my sincere sympathy on the loss of your son, who was killed in action on May 27th. His death was instantaneous. I buried his body in the British Cemetery at a village. I have only just been appointed chaplain to the Durhams, and so did not know him personally, but we are told not to worry as those without hope for them that sleep in Jesus, for we believe that God who raised up Jesus from the dead is able to raise up also all those who with their Master have laid down their lives for the right.” “Mr. and Mrs. Bowen have received other messages of sympathy from many friends, to whom they are very grateful for their kindness.” Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Mansfield Reporter, 28 June 1918: extract from the secretary’s report to the annual meeting of the CEMS [Church of England Men's Society], St Peter’s Branch: ‘I wish at the same time to make a statement respecting our Brother Bowen, who has lost both his sons quite recently in the war.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
