Frederick Cecil Bowles

Story:
Frederick Cecil Bowles was born and registered in 1895 in Shaftesbury, Dorset, as Cecil Frederick Bowles but was baptised in Gillingham, Dorset, 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 other 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, Shaftesbury, Dorset. 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 from 31 May 1915 and was awarded the Victory and British War Medals as well as the 1915 Star. 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. His mother was awarded a dependent's pension of 5s. (25p) per week.