Harry Bowmer (1894–1983)

Private

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) 70398 2nd & 1/8th Battalions

Derbyhire Courier 7 August 1917
Harry Bowmer of Crich in WW1

Biography
Harry was a native of Crich, a brother of Anthony Bowmer, Working at Cliff Quarry, he enlisted in Nov 1914. Posted to France he was twice wounded,once in 1916 then in 1917 when he received a gunshot wound to the left arm when ‘going over the top’ in the Lens district. In Nov 1919, he was discharged due to wounds. Twice-married, he had three children and settled at Middleton-by-Wirksworth during the 1930s.

Medal Roll Index
Awarded the Victory, and British War Medals.
He was also awarded the Silver War Badge after being discharged with wounds.

Silver War Badge
70398, Bowmer Henry; B123968; enlisted 7/11/14 discharged 13/2/19 aged 24 with wounds, served abroad.
[Was he also known as Henry? ]

Newspaper Report

Belper News, 17 November 1916
CRICH BROTHERS WOUNDED
Mr and Mrs Joseph Bowmer of Crich Carr, have received a note from their son Private Anthony Bowmer, of the Notts and Derbys, who was seriously wounded last month and who is in hospital in France. A few weeks ago he had one of his legs amputated and now unfortunately the other leg, which was so badly injured by shrapnel at the time, has had to be removed also, otherwise his recovery would have been hopeless. He was a strong powerful man about 6 foot in height, age 26. He left school at 14 and went to Messrs Sims, Whatstandwell, to learn stone dressing. Afterwards he went to Mansfield and became a miner, from which place he enlisted about 18 months ago.
His brother Private Harry Bowmer who is also in the Notts and Derbys, got wounded last month, but recovered quickly and is again in the trenches. He is 22 years of age, worked at the Cliff Quarry, Crich, and join the Colours directly the War commenced.

Derbyshire Courier, 4 August 1917
CRICH CASUALTIES
A chum of Private Harry Bowmer, Sherwood Foresters, of Crich Carr, has written to Mr and Mrs Bowmer informing them that their son has again been wounded. He writes: "Your son, Harry, landed at Southampton the other day and is going on a hospital train to the Midlands. Although wounded in the left arm he seemed to be getting on fine." Confirmation of the news was received from the Infantry Record Office, Lichfield, the official notification stating that Pte. Bowmer was wounded by gunshot in the left arm and had been admitted to the 11th Stationary Hospital, Rouen, on 20 July. Later Pte, Bowmer wrote himself, informing his parents that he was an inmate of the Stourbridge Section General Hospital. He says that although wounded he came off very lucky, as they had a warm time of it when "going over the top" in the Lens district. Pte. Bowmer was wounded last September, when he was hit by a piece of shell. His brother Pte. Anthony Bowmer, was also seriously wounded at the same time, being hit in both legs by gunshot.

Derbyshire Courier, 7 August 1917
Pte. H. Bowmer, Crich, WOUNDED

Harry BOWMER's brother, Anthony BOWMER, is on the Roll of Honour.

1901 Census: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Bowmer Head 38 Limestone quarryman Crich
Harriet Bowmer wife 38   Bonsall
Anthony Bowmer son 10   Crich
Hannah Bowmer daughter 9   Crich
Magie Bowmer daughter 6   Crich
Harry Bowmer son 4   Crich
Mary Bowmer daughter 2   Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 42 page 4

1911 Census: Near church, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Bowmer Head 48 Midland Railway plate layer Crich
Harriet Bowmer wife 46   Youlgrave
Anthony Bowmer son 20 Delver in stone quarry Crich
Mary Hannah Bowmer daughter 19 Factory girl trimming Crich
Margaret Bowmer daughter 17 Factory girl frame worker Crich
Harry Bowmer son 16 Delver in stone quarry Crich
Mary Bowmer daughter 12 School Crich

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1918 Voters List
Harry Bowmer, Crich Carr, absent on military service

1939 Register: The Green, Wirksworth
Harry Bowmer b.29 May 1894; limestone loader
Eliza Bowmer b.25 September 1906
Joseph Hy Bowmer b. 30 January 1933; school
two closed records