Charles Bowen
- Family History
- Military History
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Charles 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 in 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 eldest, Leonard, was killed in October 1917, eight months before Charles' 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, presumable 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.
19th Bn Durham Light Infantry Charles Bowen enlisted on 23rd July 1917, three days before his 18th birthday. He was only 5ft 2 inches tall and weighed 116lbs. Charles joined at the Sherwood Foresters Depot on 17 July 1917, some days before his deemed date of enlistment of 23 July. He was posted to the Reserve Battalion at Catterick on 26 September. Charles transferred to the 4th Bn Durham Light Infantry on 5 December 1917 His service record shows that he was charged with two minor misdemeanours during this period: November 1917 awarded two days CB [confined to barracks] for 'failing to turn his head and eyes right when passing the CO' and four days CB in March 1918 for '(l) not complying with Coy. Detail to wear an apron when mess orderly and (ll) late for cookhouse at dinner parade while mess orderly.' He embarked at Folkestone for France on 3 April 1918 and transferred to the 19th battalion Durham Light Infantry on 10 April. Charles was killed in action the following month on 27 May and is buried in Hedauville Communal Cemetery and Extension, Somme, France (grave ref. D.10). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - Hedauville Communal Cemetery and Extension (extract): 'The extension was begun at the end of March 1918, when the front line was consolidated a short distance east of the village following the German offensive. It was used by field ambulances and fighting units until the following August. The extension contained 95 graves at the Armistice, but was later increased when graves were brought in from the surrounding battlefields of March-August 1918.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Lost awhile our treasured love gain'd for ever, safe above' Two brothers also served, John with the Highland Light Infantry and Leonard Francis with 2/5th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Leonard was killed on 9 October 1917 aged 21 and is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) Report published 14th June 1918 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times:- “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
