The AIF Project

Frank Arthur BOWDEN

Regimental number2932
Place of birthBattersea, London, England
SchoolHoneywell Road Higher Grade London County Council School, England
Age on arrival in Australia19.8
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 8.5"
Weight143 lbs
Next of kinFather, A E Bowden, 23 Berber Road, Clapham Common, London, England
Previous military serviceNil (previously rejected for enlistment on account of heart)
Enlistment date6 July 1915
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name8th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/25/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board SS Makarini on 15 September 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll60th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFleurbaix, France (Battle of Fromelles)
Date of death19 July 1916
Age at death22.10
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 19), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
169
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Admitted to 16th Stationary Hospital, Mudros, 25 November 1915 (ring worm); transferred to 24th Casualty Clearing Station, 29 November 1916; discharged, 2 December 1915; rejoined 8th Bn, Anzac, Gallipoli, 7 December 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Transferred to 60th Bn, and taken on strength, Serapeum, 24 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Reported Missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 4 August 1917, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Note on Red Cross File No 470905: 'No trace Germany. Cert. by Capt. Mills 10-10-19.'

Statement, 783 Sergeant A.J. FERGUSON, 60th Bn (patient, Napsbury War Hospital, St Albans, England), 30 May 1917: 'It was at Fleurbaix. I was lying at Bowden's side when a piece of shell hit him in the back and nearly cut him in half. I did my best for him and on going to him I found his back torn open and his back shattered. I was myself wounded a few minutes later and consequently can say nothing more.'

Second statement by 783 Sergeant A.J. FERGUSON, 60th Bn, 20 July 1917: 'I saw the above mentioned soldier cut in half by a shell on the 19.7.16 at Fleurbaix. We were half away across No Man's Land when he was struck. I was wounded a few minutes later, so could not say what became of his body.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BOWDEN Frank Arthur
Red Cross File No 470905

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