brett361975 Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Would anyone be so kind as to look up Gunner J Bowes 78505 of the 69th Bty. 31st Bde. KIA 1st October 1915. I have no information apart from the above so anything would be helpful. Thanks Regards Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esskay Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 A few details from SDGW Name: BOWES, James Regiment, Corps etc.: Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery Battalion etc.: Last name: Bowes First name(s): James Initials: J Birthplace: Duffield Enlisted: Hull, Yorks Residence: Rank: GUNNER Number: 78505 Date died: 1 October 1915 How died: Died of wounds Theatre of war: France & Flanders Cheers Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 12 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2008 thank you Sue, very kind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 12 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2008 would be very keen to see his MIC if anyone can find it on Ancestry please Regards Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esskay Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Here it is Brett - was just about to put it on before but things went dead on here for me Cheers Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Hi Brett, his service no. would suggest a pre war regular. XXXI Bde RFA was part of the 28th Division and were in action at Loos during the time of Gnr. Bowes death, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 12 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2008 THanks for all your help, don't suppose there are any war diarys of the 69th Bty that anyone knows about? regards Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Hi Brett, the War Diary for the XXXI Bde RFA for 1915-1919 is held at the NA and can be found in WO 95/4907. The 28th Division relieved the 9th (Scottish) Division on the 28th September, they were situated opposite the Hohenzollern Redout, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rflory Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 On 1 October 1915, 69th Battery was at Annequin. The War Diary notes that "Registration of batteries continued - 69th Battery ordered to fire intermittently on Mad Alley." As he is listed as DOW he could have been wounded days before he died. Regards, Dick Flory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 12 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2008 Thanks very much Jon, Sue and Dick, Can anyone work out what it says on the line by 15 Star, not got my glasses with me ! thanks Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rflory Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 "RFA 14 A&B 555" It is the volume and page number for the Medal Roll listing of his 1914-15 Star. To the right it says "Died". Dick Flory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battiscombe Posted 12 July , 2008 Share Posted 12 July , 2008 As another member has pointed out he could have been a prewar enlisted regular from the service number, but only just .. as the 78100s were issued around June 1914 as far as I can tell (79000s all appear to be after the outbreak of war ..).. if that is of interest david Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brett361975 Posted 13 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 13 July , 2008 thanks for all the information regards Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim1915 Posted 20 November , 2008 Share Posted 20 November , 2008 thanks for all the information regards Brett Dear Brett, I have checked the War Diary for the XXXI Brigade covering that period. Unfortunately it does not mention the death of Gunner Bowes. What is mentioned is as follows: “28th Tuesday A.S.C. ordered to move - Clear by 2.30 p.m. more room available so that all officers had a billet, and most of the men got cover. 4.00 p.m. Orders received that 31st Brigade would come under orders of 2nd Division tomorrow. Brigade and Battery commanders to meet C.R.A. 2nd Division at 8.00 a.m. tomorrow. One section of each Battery to go into action on the night 29/30. At 5.30 p.m. rain began to fall in torrents and fell all night. 29th Wednesday Brigade Commanders and Battery commanders with small staffs left for H.Q.R.A. 2nd Division at 7.00 a.m. Raining heavily at 10.0 a.m. The 69th and 103rd Batteries moved off independently, the 69th to take up a fresh position the 100th and 103rd to take over from Batteries of the Guards Divisional Artillery. The 69th and 100th Batteries only to come under the O.C. 31st Brigade. The 103rd and 118th Batteries were placed under the orders of O.C. 41st and 34th Brigades respectively. 30th Thursday The 69th and 100th Batteries having come into action last night were busy laying telephone lines during the morning. Brigade Headquarters moved to ANNEQUIN mines 31st Brigade Ammunition Column to Farm DU ROI BETHUNE. 118th Battery occupied a position under orders of O.C. 34th Brigade 31st Brigade supporting infantry of 5th Brigade 2nd Division. Communications from Batteries to infantry Battalions and their O.P.s and from Brigade Headquarters to Batteries and Infantry Brigades HQS established and both ? (cannot decipher the word). 28th Division 31st Brigade R.F.A. Volume X October 1st 1915 ANNEQUIN Friday 19th Infantry Brigade relieved 5th Infantry Brigade 2nd Division during the night. 31st Brigade Headquarters established at ANNEQUIN and telephone line laid to 19th Brigade Headquarters by 8.00 a.m. Registration of Batteries continued - 69th Battery ordered to fire intermittently on MAD ALLEY. (about 2700) throughout the day and 100th Battery on LONE FARM (about 2500). October 2nd Saturday At 3.00 p.m. heavy hard fighting in LITTLE WILLIE trench observed. Our infantry seen to withdraw across open. British Artillery immediately opened a hot fire on LITTLE WILLIE. At 5.30 p.m. Royal Welch Fusiliers asked 69th Battery to fire on LITTLE WILLIE; this they were unable to do (not registered and emplacements would not allow switch) - message passed to R.A. 2nd Division and 28th Division, and 146th Brigade. (to our South). 69th Battery fired on their extreme right lines viz. where LITTLE WILLIE ? trench (North). 19th Brigade (2 battalions) relieved by 22nd Brigade with 4 Battalions Viz. Royal Welch Fusiliers, Queens, Royal Warwickshire, South Staffordshire.” From what I can tell the 69th Battery was most efficient usually the first Battery to come into action and then with the most accurate fire. Regards, Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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