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Bowles, Wilfred Spencer

Second Lieut. W.S. Bowles. Prior to his entrance at King's College as a Theological student in October, 1914, Second Lieut. W.S. Bowles was educated at Victoria College, Jersey. While at Victoria he joined the College O.T.C. and represented his school at Bisley, 1912, 1913, and 1914, shooting for the Ashburton Shield (the Public Schools Challenge Shield). In 1914 he won the Elkington and Abadie Cups for shooting in school contests. He competed also as representative of Victoria College for the Haines Shield against Elizabeth College, Guernsey. During 1912, 1913, and 1914. During his last two years at school he was in the First Eleven for both Football and Hockey. When at King's he joined in October, 1914, the University of London O.T.C. resigning in June, 1915, when he enlisted in the Inns of Court O.T.C. In November, 1915, he was gazetted to the Essex regiment. In February, 1916, he was transferred to the Machine Gun Corps with which he went to France on June 4th. Passing unscathed through the early days of the Push, he was reported killed in action at Mametz on July 10th, 1916. No definite information as to the manner of his death can be secured since those who could have supplied it were killed at the same time. As a member of the C.E.M.S. and of the Guild of Servers Mr. W.S. Bowles was a server at St. Martin's, Jersey, and later, when in England, at Holy Trinity, Stroud Green. A brother officer writes; "We always found him a good officer, always pleasant and liked by his brother officers and the men. The only consolation I can give you is that he died while leading his men in one of the worst fights that our Army has encountered." King's College Review Dec. 1916

Biographical

Surname(s)Bowles
First name(s)Wilfred Spencer
Family detailsSon of Tom Fred and Mary Alice Bowles of Les Rochettes, Pontac, St Clement's Jersey
Previous educationVictoria College, Jersey
CollegeKing's College London and/or King's College London Hospital
Dates at college1914
Dept / courseFaculty of Theology
Military unit3rd/5th Bttn Essex Regiment attached Machine Gun Corps
Date enlistedNovember 1915
War / conflictWorld War One (1914-1918)
CampaignsGazetted to the Essex Regt in Feb 1916 transferred to France 4th June 1916
Decorations / medalsMedals - 1918 Pair. (Societe Jersiaise)
Date of deathWounded June 1916. Died 10 July 1916
Age at death21
Rank at deathSecond Lieutenant
Place of deathMametz
Cause of deathKilled in Action by a sniper in the attack on Contalmaison
Burial placeBuried in Mametz Wood then reburied Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz
Commemoration(s)King's College Chapel, Roll of Honour, Jersey.
SourcesKing's College London Archives; Commonwealth War Graves Commission; University of London OTC Roll of Fallen 1914/19;

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Bowles, Wilfred Spencer
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