Frederick Cecil Bowles

Story:
Frederick Cecil Bowles was born and registered in 1895 in Shaftesbury as Cecil Frederick Bowles but was baptised in Gillingham on 17th January, 1896 with the christian names reversed. His mother, Sarah Ann Bowles, was described in the Parish Register as a 'single'woman'. By 1901 Sarah was living at Lower Langham, Gillingham with her father and her three children. At the time of the 1911 Census Frederick was boarding and working as a domestic gardener at Heywood Garage, Westbury, Wiltshire, whilst his mother had by then entered Shaftesbury Workhouse in Breach Lane. He enlisted in Rochester, Kent, as a Private in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) (Service No. G/1906). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star medals. He died of wounds on the Somme on 5th August 1916 and was buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, Varennes, Somme, France, (grave id. I.A.5). He is remembered on the war memorials at Motcombe and Enmore Green, Shaftesbury.