Alfred Radcliffe Bowles

Story:
Alfred Radcliffe Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, in 1895, and baptised there on 25th December, 1895. He was the son of Frank Bowles, a Foreman Platelayer, and Bessie Alice Bowles (née Trevelian). His siblings included Bertram Percival Bowles, born in 1893, who also died in the war as well as Leonard Frank Bowles and Harold Donald Victor Bowles who served and survived. At the time of the 1911 Census he was single, working as a Farm Labourer and living at the Old Workhouse, Semley, Wiltshire. He enlisted in Semley as a Private and joined the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment (Service No. 2463 later changed to 200790). He served in India where he died on 16th October 1918 whilst on attachment to the 3rd Wireless Section, Royal Engineers. (There is a note on the WGC record that he was buried in the Tank Cemetery 35 but no other information is given.) His name appears on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate) (Face 23). He is remembered on the Semley War Memorial in St. Leonard's churchyard, and on the Roll of Honour inside the church. His name was included on the Baptist Chapel plaque, now also in the church.