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.  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).  It is thought he served in France and Flanders with the 4th Battalion where he was wounded in action.  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 and British War Medals along with the Silver War Badge No. 274689.  He married Rose Maidment in Axminster, Devon, on 23 Aug 1919.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Lower Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, working as a House Decorator as well as being a volunteer ARP Warden.  His death was recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry on 11 May 1971.  Of his brothers, Bertram Percival Bowles served but died during the conflict whereas Alfred Radcliffe Bowles and Leonard Frank Bowles both served and survived.