Main CPGW Record
Surname: BOWKER
Forename(s): John
Place of Birth: Langcliffe, Yorkshire
Service No: TR5/22512
Rank: A/Corporal
Regiment / Corps / Service: Training Reserve
Battalion / Unit: 6th (Young Soldier) Battalion
Division: ---
Age: 38
Date of Death: 1917-07-10
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: 'U'. A. 1480.
CWGC Cemetery: ELLAND CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SETTLE, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John Bowker was the son of Thomas and Jessie Bowker, née McDowell. Thomas was born at Langcliffe, Yorkshire and Jessie at Belfast, Ireland.
1881 Langcliffe, Yorkshire Census: Middle Fold - John Bowker, aged 2 years, born Langcliffe, son of Thomas and Jessie Bowker.
1891 Brandlesome [Brandlesholme], near Bury, Lancashire Census: Brandlesome Moss Farm - John Bowker, aged 13 year, born Settle, Yorkshire. [John was employed by Henry Frankland, Farmer.]
John served as a regular soldier for seven years with the 1st Bn East Lancashire Regiment. He left the Army on the 5 February 1904 and joined the Police Force on the 20 September 1904 and given the number 312.
John was married to Mary Crossley in 1907.
1911 Denby Dale, Yorkshire Census: 290, Kitchenroyd - John Bowker, aged 33 Years, born Settle, Yorkshire. Police Constable. Husband of Mary Bowker.
John served in France with the 21st (Service) Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) (Wool Textile Pioneers), 4th Division.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: A/Cpl, A/Sjt John Bowker, 21/240, W. Yorks R. Deceased 10.7.17.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: A/Sgt John Bowker, TR/5/22512, 21st W. York R. Deceased 10.7.17.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Cpl John Bowker, TR5/22512, 6th Bn Training Res. Date and Place of Death: 10.7.17. Mil'y Hospital Cannock Chase. To whom Authorised/Amount
Authorised: Widow- Mary. £2 18s. 0d. Self and children. War Gratuity: Widow - Mary. £8 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: A/Cpl John Bowker. Date and cause of death: Nephritis, commencing on Active Service. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Mary, born 13.4.72. Address 1. Kitchen Royd, Denby Dale, Nr Huddersfield. Address 2. 38, Birch Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancs. Children: Annie, born 28.4.08. Harold, born 12.6.10.
John is commemorated on the Scissett War Memorial.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BOWKER, Sergeant, West Yorkshire Regiment, Bridge End, formerly of Langcliffe, died Rugeley, July 10, 1918.
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A/Corporal John BOWKER
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Training Reserve
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View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
20 July 1917
BOWKER - Died in hospital at Rugeley Camp, July 10th 1917, Sergeant J. Bowker, West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bowker, Bridge End, Settle.
20 July 1917
SETTLE - SERGEANT BOWKER DIES AS A RESULT OF BEING GASSED
Sergeant John Bowker, who was the son of Mr. T. and Mrs. Bowker, of Bridge End, Settle, and formerly of Langcliffe, died at the hospital at Rugeley Camp on Tuesday 10th inst. Sergt. Bowker en1isted when he was 18 years old in the lst East Lancashire Regt., and went through the South African War. After serving 7 years with the Colours he joined the West Riding Constabulary, being a member of the force for 13 years serving at Elland, Holmfirth, Denby Dale, &c. Whilst at the latter place he volunteered and was attached to the West Yorks at Halifax and afterwards at Raikes Camp, Skipton. Whilst in the great push on the Somme Front he, along with others of his comrades, was badly gassed and was in due course landed in England and taken to the lst London General Hospital, Camberwell. He afterwards joined up at Rugeley Camp with the Training Battalion of the West Yorks, but the effects of the gas had taken hold upon him and he was again sent to hospital where he died as stated above. He leaves a widow and two children.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
20 July 1917
BOWKER - Died in hospital at Rugeley Camp, July 10th, Sergt. Bowker, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bowker, of Bridge End Settle, and formerly of Langcliffe.
20 July 1917
SETTLE - SERGT. BOWKER DIES AS RESULT OF BEING GASSED
Sergt. J. Bowker, the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Bowker, of Bridge End, Settle, and formerly of Langcliffe, has died at the hospital at Rugeley Camp, on Tuesday July 10th. Sergt. Bowker enlisted when he was 18 years old in the 1st East Lancashire Regiment, and went through the South African War. After serving seven years with the colours he joined the West Riding Constabulary, being a member of the force for 13 years, serving at Elland, Holmfirth, Denby Dale, etc. Whilst at the latter place he volunteered, and was attached to the West Yorks, at Halifax, and afterwards at Raikes Camp, Skipton, from where the regiment was despatched to France. Whilst in the great push on the Somme front, he, along with others of his comrades, was badly gassed, and was in due course landed in England and taken to the 1st London General Hospital, Camberwell. He afterwards joined up at Rugeley Camp with the 6th Training Battalion of the West Yorks, but the effects of the gas had taken hold upon him, and he was again sent to hospital, where he died as above stated. He leaves a widow and two children.
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