Main CPGW Record
Surname: BOWNAS
Forename(s): Robert
Place of Birth: Arncliffe, Yorkshire
Service No: 41255
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Yorkshire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 1/4th Battalion
Division: 50th (Northumbrian) Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1918-04-10
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 4.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: GRASSINGTON, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: LINTON-IN-CRAVEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Robert Bownas (born 30 March 1899) was the son of George and Alice Bownas, née Chapman. George was born at Linton and Alice at Buckden, Yorkshire. Robert was the nephew of Private Christopher Chapman (57377) (q.v.) and cousin of Driver Jack Chapman (T2/12877) (q.v.).
1901 Arncliffe, Yorkshire Census: Robert Bownas, aged 2 years, born Arncliffe, son of George and Alice Bownas.
1911 Grassington, Yorkshire Census: Robert Bownas, aged 12 years, born Arncliffe, Yorkshire, son of George and Alice Bownas.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Robert Bownas, 41255, E. York. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Robert Bownas, 41255, 1/4th E. Yorks R. Dead.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Robert Bownas, 41255, 1/4 East Yorks. Date and Place of Death: 10.4.18 on or since. France. Presd. dead. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - George. £5 0s. 0d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Robert. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr George Bownas born 1872. Relationship: Father. Address: Moor Road, Grassington, via Skipton, Yorks.
A short biography of Robert is included in: ‘Swaledale & Wharfedale Remembered – Aspects of Dales’ life through peace and war’ by Keith Taylor (2006).
See also: ‘Silva Gars’ by John Crowther (1930).
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: ---
---
Click the thumbnail below to view a larger image.
Private Robert BOWNAS
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Yorkshire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 50th (Northumbrian) Division
---
View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Private Robert Bownas (on left)
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Letter from Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
Alice Bownas, née Chapman, the mother of Private Robert Bown
Courtesy of Chris Binns
George Bownas, the father of Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
The Chapman family of Grassington
The Chapman family of Grassington, including Christopher junior; Margaret Ann, the mother of Private Jack Chapman and Alice, the mother of Private Robert Bownas
Courtesy of Chris Binns
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 December 1914
GRASSINGTON - Recruiting Meeting: Seven More Recruits
A meeting organised by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday night. Mr. J. Longstaff was chairman. Patriotic songs were sung by Mr. E.J. Percival. Urgent and impassioned appeals calling upon the young men of the district to enlist in Kitchener's Army were made by Captain E.G. Whitaker, Col.-Sergt. A.C. Briggs, and Messrs. J.W. Beanland, G.H. Bibbings and S.J.E. Hartley. The results were very satisfactory, for in addition to those already enlisted from Grassington, seven more names were added to the list, viz.: William Cummings, Wallace Maxfield, Christopher Chapman, John Foster, Thomas Maxfield, Wilfred Gilbert Steel, and Henry Oswald Harrison. A pathetic incident occurred when a youth of 17 came forward, and on being rejected as not old enough burst into tears. This was Robert Bownas. The officer, however, gave him a letter of merit as consolation, to show to his friends.
24 May 1918
WOUNDED AND MISSING
Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. George Bownass, Grassington, who have received information that their eldest son, Private Robert Bownass, East Yorks. Regiment, has been missing since April 7th last. Private Bownass, who is only 19 years of age, had only been in France for a very short period, and only a few days in action.
16 May 1919
BOWNASS - In loving memory of Private Robert Bownass, 4th East Yorks. Regiment, missing April 10th, 1918, now presumed killed on that date, aged 19 years.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister.
30 May 1919
GRASSINGTON - MISSING THIRTEEN MONTHS: NOW PRESUMED KILLED
It is now officially presumed that Private Robert Bownas, who was reported missing on the 10th of April, 1918, gave his life for the great cause on that day. Private Bownas, who was in the 4th East Yorks. Regiment, was 19 years of age, and was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Bownas, Moor Road, Grassington. He joined the Army on May 14th, 1917, and went out to France on April 3rd, 1918. Much sympathy is felt for his parents.
09 April 1920
BOWNAS - In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Pte. Robert Bownas, reported missing April 10th, 1918, now presumed killed on that date, aged 19 years.
From Father, Mother, Brothers and Sister, Moor Road, Grassington.
BOWNAS - In loving memory of our nephew, Pte. Robert Bownas, East Yorks. Regt., killed in action April 10th, 1918, aged 19 years.
He sleeps with England's Heroes,
'Neath the watchful care of God.
From Aunt Lizzie and Aunt Nancy and Families.
08 April 1921
BOWNAS - In ever loving memory of Pte. Robert Bownas, East Yorks. Regt., presumed killed April 10th, 1918.
From his loving Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Moor Road, Grassington.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
18 December 1914
GRASSINGTON - RECRUITING MEETING
A meeting, organised by the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee, (Skipton Division), was held in the Town Hall on Tuesday night. Mr. J. Longstaff presided. Patriotic songs were rendered by Mr. E.J. Percival. Appeals calling upon the young men of the district to enlist in Kitchener's Army were made by Capt. E.G. Whitaker, Colour Sergeant A.C. Briggs, and Messrs. J. W. Beanland, G.H. Bibbings, and S.J.E. Hartley. The result was very satisfactory, for in addition to those already enlisted from Grassington, seven more names were added to the list, viz.: William Cummings, Wallace Maxfield, Christopher Chapman, John Foster, Thomas Maxfield, Wilfred Gilbert Steel, and Henry Oswald Harrison. A pathetic incident occurred when a youth of 17, named Robert Bownass, came forward, and on being rejected as not old enough, burst into tears. The officer, however, gave him a letter of merit as consolation to show his friends.
24 May 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Grassington Soldier Missing
Much sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. George Bownass, of Grassington, who have received official information that their eldest son, Pte. Robert Bownass, East Yorkshire Regiment, has been missing since April 7th last. Pte. Bownass, who is only 19 years of age, had only been in France for a very short time, and only a few days in action. It is to be hoped he will soon rejoin his regiment.
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.