Main CPGW Record
Surname: BOWER
Forename(s): Ambrose
Place of Birth: Keighley, Yorkshire
Service No: 7584
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 30th Division
Age: ---
Date of Death: 1917-10-26
Awards: M.M.
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 52 to 54.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
Ambrose Bower was the son of Albert and Louisa Bower, née Crane. Albert was born at Keighley, Yorkshire and Louisa in India.
1891 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 11, Sloe Street - Ambrose Bower, aged 5 years, born Keighley, son of Albert and Lousia [sic] Bower.
1901 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: Caravan (Rectory Grounds) - Ambrose Bower, aged 15 years, born Keighley, son of Albert and Lucy [sic] Bower.
Ambrose was married to Hannah Louisa Davis in 1910. Hannah married Arthur Smith in 1918.
1911 Keighley, Yorkshire Census: 23, Pitt Street - Ambrose Bower, aged 25 years, born Keighley, husband of Hannah Louisa Bower.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ambrose Bower, M.M., 7584, Yorks R. Disembarkation date: 5.10.14. Dead.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ambrose Bower, M.M., 7584, 2/York. R. Dead.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ambrose Bower, M.M., 7584, 2nd Bn Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 26.10.17. In Action. Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow Sole Legatee - Hannah L. £16 7s. 0d. War Gratuity: Widow Sole Legatee - Hannah L. Smith. £18 10s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Ambrose. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Hannah Louisa, born 19.1.91. Address 1. 29, Harcourt Street, Keighley, Yorks. Address 2. 19, Pitt Street, Parkwood, Keighley, Yorks. Children: Annie, born 31.10.11.
Ambrose is commemorated in the ‘Borough of Keighley Roll of Honour’ book.
Data Source: Craven Herald Article
---
Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Ambrose BOWER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 30th Division
---
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Marriage Register of St Mary’s Church, Eastwood, Keighley, Yorkshire
Entry for the marriage of Ambrose Bower to Hannah Louisa Davis, 25 June 1910
Courtesy of West Yorkshire Archive Service
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
12 January 1917
FARNHILL - A BRAVE ACTION
Corporal Ambrose Bower, of Farnhill, has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action in the Battle of the Somme. He was the leader of the grenade section, and, finding that his men were short of bombs, he jumped out of his trench and made his way to the German trenches and captured a good supply, thus enabling them to carry out their work. The Captain congratulated him on his pluck and bravery, and said he never saw anything so daring in his life. He told him he was an honour to his regiment and he was proud to be his Captain.
The letter which was given to him, with the ribbon to which the Medal will be attached at Buckingham Palace in the course of a few days, says:-
"Corporal Ambrose Bower, 7584, - Battalion Yorkshire Regiment
Awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in action on the Somme
"I wish to congratulate you most heartily on your well-deserved award of the Military Medal."
H. SHEA, Major General, Commanding 30th Division.
Corporal A. Bower is the first soldier to bring a decoration into Farnhill. His parents are very proud of the honour. He has been made Corporal and allowed a month's leave. Before the war, Corporal Bower was a coal dealer and was called up at the outbreak of the war as a reservist.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
02 July 1915
KILDWICK SOLDIER SLIGHTLY WOUNDED
Private Ambrose Bower, of the 'Green Howards,' son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bower, of Kildwick, who before the outbreak of war was a reservist, and has been for several months in France, in writing home to his parents, refers to several engagements in which he has taken part. In the last letter he says:-"I have returned from another very severe engagement, having only received a scratch from a German bullet in the hand. I am not out of action, the wound not being worth considering a wound." Private Bower has been in some very hot engagements and considers himself very lucky indeed. He has sent home some German bullets. His home is in Keighley, where his wife and family reside.
12 January 1917
FARNHILL - MILITARY CROSS AWARDED TO CORPL. AMBROSE BOWER
A Rush into the German Trenches
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Bower, of Farnhill, are justly proud of the honour which has come to their eldest son, Corporal Ambrose Bower, of the West [sic] Yorkshire Regiment, who at present is home on furlough, having gone through many of the greatest and most severe battles during the war, with only two slight wounds. The following has been received by Corporal Bower from the Commanding Officer of the 30th Division, Major General H. Shea:-
"Corporal A. Bower, of the 2nd Yorkshire Regiment, awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action on the Somme. I wish to congratulate you most heartily on your well-deserved award of the Military Cross."
Corporal Bower is in the grenade section, and during an engagement the bombing party were running short of hand grenades, when he rushed into the German trench and secured a number, which were used against them with good effect. Prior to the outbreak of war Corporal Bower was in the reserve and was called to rejoin his regiment at the same time as Private Joseph Smith (killed in the early weeks of the war) and Private J. Pollard, who was severely wounded and has since been discharged. Both are from Farnhill. Corporal Bower has taken part in the great battles at Mons, Ypres, Armentières, Neuve Chappelle, and many others. He gained his honour on the Somme. At the time of being called upon to join his regiment he lived in Keighley. He is married and was for a time employed by Mr. Wm. Sugden, coal merchant, Kildwick. His only brother, Private Albert Bower, of the Duke of Wellington's is at present in hospital in Northampton, suffering from wounds received in July during the great offensive.
23 November 1917
BOWER - Reported killed in action, Private Ambrose Bower, of the Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bower, late, of Farnhill.
23 November 1917
FARNHILL
PRIVATE A. BOWER REPORTED KILLED
Reports have also been received that Pte. Ambrose Bower, Yorkshire Regiment (whose parents resided until recently at Farnhill) has been killed in action. He was in the Regular Army and went to France in the early days of the war. His brother (Pte. Albert Bower) who was one of the first lads to enlist from Farnhill is in hospital suffering from abscesses. He was wounded over a year ago, and recently returned to France.
Comment on this Soldier Record
You can leave comments on this soldier record. Please note all comments will be manually approved before they appear on the website.
No comments yet.