John Bowman
| Rank | Private 285083 | |
| Medals | British War Medal, Victory Medal | |
| Regiment | 1st/6th Battalion Artillery | |
| Military Service | Nothing is known for certain about Bowman’s military service. He was not entitled to the 1914-15 Star so did not reach a theatre of war until 1916 at the earliest. By this date it is possible he was a conscript and not a volunteer. It also seems possible that he did not choose the Gordon Highlanders, part of 51st (Highland) Division, but was drafted to them as part of reinforcements. | |
| Born | 7th January 1881, Dennistoun, Glasgow | |
| Death | 31st July 1917 | |
| Circumstances of Death | Killed in action. | |
| Age | 36 | |
| Burial | Wood Cemetery, V. B. 7 John Bowman’s body and those of four companions, were exhumed from their temporary graves and reburied at Artillery Wood Cemetery in September 1919. Bowman’s body was identified by its ID disc. | |
| CWGC Information | Son of William Bowman, of Glasgow; husband of Margaret Napier Bowman, of 4, Dudley Drive, Hyndland, Glasgow. | |
| Parents | William Bowman(c1840-1920) & Annie S Mclean(c1851-1928) | |
| Father's Occupation | Music seller | |
| Siblings | William (1869-1897), James (1872-1915), Margaret S (1874-), Ann M (c1877-), Jessie J (1881-), Alice B (c1882-), Edith F (c1885-) | |
| Spouse | Margaret Napier married 1909, Partick, Glasgow | |
| Education | Not known | |
| Occupation | Optician’s assistant | |
| 1881 Census | 9 Bellgrove Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow | |
| 1891 Census | Apsley Place, Gorbals, Glasgow | |
| 1901 Census | 21 Apsley Place, Gorbals, Glasgow | |
| 1911 Census | 12 Willowbank Street, Glasgow | |
| Home Address | Not known | |
| Glasgow Necropolis | Compartment Upsilon Lair 36 | |
| Other Memorials | Scottish National War Memorial | |
| Acknowledgements and Sources |
Much of the information on which this profile is based is drawn from various internet sources which are listed below. The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis also wish to make full acknowledgement and thanks for the permitted use of any information or images generously supplied specifically for exhibition, publication or display in connection with The Roll of Honour and accompanying profiles to Ancestry, and Find my past.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The Scottish War Memorials Project
6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, War Diary June 1916 – September 1918. (TNA WO 95/2868/1) 6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, War Diary June 1916 – September 1918. (TNA WO 95/2868/1) | |
Gallery
John Bowman Monument - Upsilon
Credits
Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.
