Joseph Bowler

Private Joseph Bowler enlisted at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, 25th August 1914. giving his age as 21 yrs 279 days, he was a coal miner and served with the 9th battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment. He landed at Gallipoli on 1st July 1915 and died 6th September 1915, aged 23. He is buried at Azmak Cemetery Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. grave - I. F. 8.

Writing to his parents in Huthwaite, Pte. Joseph Bowler, 9th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, described his experiences at Suvla Bay on 9th August 1915 it was published 10th September 1915 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times :- “Just a few lines to let you know I am in the best of health. I have received the “cigs.,” and thank you from the bottom of my heart for them, as they are like getting gold out here. As true as my name is what it is, I shall never forget the 9th of August, for we made an attack about six in the morning. We were about 800 strong, but when the roll was called we had between three and four hundred, and only four officers left. My God, it was like hell to see them shot down, and hear the cries of the wounded. A chum of mine dragged one of our chaps into the hedge bottom, and we bandaged him up as well as we could, but we could not do much as he was shot through both thighs by explosive bullets, and they had ripped half of his thighs off. We stayed with him all day, and at night we had to retire and leave him. He came crawling in on Wednesday night, and, my word, he was a plucky one. He comes from Long Eaton, and I wish him the best of luck. Dear mother and father, I hope you will buck up, as we have got them potted, and it will soon be over here, and the sooner the better. I am sorry to hear about ____, and hope he will soon be right again, as we have had many a happy hour together, and I am hoping to have a few more, so just tell him, please. We will all have a time when I come back.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Notts. Free Press – 1915 HUTHWAITE SOLDIER'S DEATH - KILLED BY SHRAPNEL Yet another Huthwaite man has made the supreme sacrifice in Private J. Bowler, 13,322, 9th Sherwood Foresters, 11th Division, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, whose home was at 85, Blackwell Road. His parents recently received the following letter from Corporal W. Sheriff of the same regiment. "Dear Madam,- I regret to inform you of the death of No. 13,322, Private J. Bowler; I got your address from a P.O. which I took out of his pocket and having a mother of my own I know she would be pleased to hear how her son was put away. He was killed by a shell on the 6th of Sept. I was sent to bury him in the afternoon, and I must say I was very lucky. I met our parson and asked him to attend, which he did gladly, so I can assure you he was laid to rest in the best possible way. I made a wooden cross and put it on his grave. I am madam, Yours in sympathy, Corporal W. Sheriff." With the letter came photos, postcards, etc., which belonged to Private Bowler, and a touching feature of the sad affair is that his own address was not on him. His friend, therefore had to send them to a Huthwaite address on one of the postcards, with a request that his parents should be told. On Saturday last the following was received from Private A. Hill, 12,565, 'A' Company, of the same regiment:- "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bowler,- I am extremely sorry to have to inform you of the death of your son, Joe. He asked me some time ago if anything occurred I would let you know, and he would do the same for me. He was killed while in the trench by shrapnel about 12.30 p.m., Sept. 6th. His death is deeply regretted by all the Company. All the N.C.O.'s and men wish to express their deepest sympathy with you both in your sad bereavement. He died doing his duty, and death being instantaneous he did not suffer. If I have luck to come back I will tell you all." Private Bowler, who was 22 years of age, had been employed during his working career at New Hucknall Colliery. He had many friends and was always a keen follower of local football. Quite recently a letter appeared in the 'Free Press' from him, written in the highest spirits, and the news of his death following hard upon it has been a great shock to his parents.