Harold Donald Victor Bowles

Story:
Harold Donald Victor Bowles was born in Semley, Wiltshire, on 22 Aug 1897 and baptised there on 20 Feb 1898 the son of Frank Bowles and Bessie Alice (aka Betsy) Bowles (nee Smith).  He spent his early life in Semley living at the Old Workhouse (by then private homes).  He had enlisted with the Dorsetshire Regiment on 25 Jun 1913 but was not embodied until 1 Sep 1914 as a Private (Service No. 19505).  He served in France and Flanders with the 4th Battalion where he was wounded in action near the town of Bapaume, France, and it is understood was awarded the Military Medal for courage in the field in rescuing an injured officer under fire.  He was later transferred to the Labour Corps with Service No. 352840.  He was discharged as being medically unfit for further service on 19 Sep 1917 and awarded the Victory, British War Medals and 1914/15 Star along with the Silver War Badge No. 274689. (The 1914/15 Star was missed from the medal index but has been verified by seeing the actual medal.)  He married Rose Louise Kate Maidment in Axminster, Devon, on 23 Aug 1919. Of his children, Roye Armistice Bapaume Bowles, was so named in honour of the Bapaume event. The 1921 Census shows him living at 25 Wallington, Fareham, Hampshire, working as a General Labourer at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, Southampton, Hampshire.  By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Lower Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, working initially as a House Decorator as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden later transferring to the Home Guard with the rank of Lieutenant.  His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 11 May 1971 his address at the time being given as 36 Vernalls Road, Sherborne.  He was buried in Sherborne on 14 May 1971. Of his brothers, Bertram Percival Bowles and Alfred Radcliffe Bowles, served but died during the conflict whereas Leonard Frank Bowles served and survived.