Bertie Bowles

Born: 17 April 1891

Died: 8 December 1917

Rank and Regiment: Sergeant 320010 in the 12th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Battalion of the Norfolk Regiment

Resting Place: Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel - Plot Y. 26.

Memorials: St. Mary the Virgin, Carleton Forehoe, United Kingdom

Bertie was born at Carleton Forehoe on 17 April 1891. He was the son of Walter Bowles, farmer, and Annie Louisa (nee Self).

At the time of the 1911 Census he was still living at home and described not as “an agricultural labourer” but as “Working on Farm”, suggesting that he was working on his parents’ farm.

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour says that he was educated at Hingham Grammar School (which is now a private house at 12 Hardingham Street) and that he joined the Yeomanry in 1908. When he first joined the Yeomanry, he appears to have joined the 1st Battalion with service number 1004.

He volunteered for foreign service, served with the Mediterranean Force at Gallipoli, and went from there to Egypt. He was killed in action at Beit Iska on 8 December 1917, and buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery.

According to De Ruvigny, Capt Ruggles Brise wrote:

His loss is a great one to me and the company, for it he had lived he would have been my Company Sergeant Major, and I am sure would have done great things.

He was, of course, only 26 when he died, but he appears to have been doing well before going into the armed forces. In August 1918 his father Walter was granted Letters of Administration to his estate and we see that Bertie left an estate of some £762 2s. 8d. (equivalent to about £37,000 today). His soldiers’ effects of £55. 7s. 2d. were also left to his father.

Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel