The AIF Project

Horace James BOWERS

Regimental number859
Date of birth15 July 1892
Place of birthNabiac, New South Wales
SchoolNabiac Public School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSchool teacher
AddressNabiac, Wallamba River, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20
Height5' 5.5"
Weight140 lbs
Next of kinFather, Alfred John Bower, Nabiac, Wallamba River, New South Wales
Enlistment date22 September 1914
Place of enlistmentCasino, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name15th Battalion, F Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/32/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A40 Ceramic on 22 December 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll15th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and gazetted, 'London Gazette', Second Supplement No. 30448 (25 December 1917; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 57 (18 April 1918).

FateReturned to Australia 21 March 1919
Medals

Meritorious Service Medal

'Is recommended for his excellent work as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant during the period 26th February, 20th September, 1917. He has frequently carried out his duties under heavy shell fire.' Second description reads: 'Is recommended for his great work and devotion to duty as R.Q.M.S. The comfort and welfare of the men of this Battalion have his unremitting attention at all times, without any consideration of himself. He has on many occasions taken great risks cheerfully, in order to obtain the best results in regard to food supplies and comforts for the men. He has shown great energy and powers of organisation at times of stress when weather conditions demanded the best attention for the men in the trenches, and during the last two winters in France his value to the Battalion is beyond computation. He is most deserving of award and the recognition of his work would be appreciated by the whole Battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 25 July 1918

Discharge date28 January 1920
Family/military connectionsBrothers: 4068 Pte Cyril John BOWERS, 15th Bn, returned to Australia, 13 April 1919; 971 Pte Norman Harcourt BOWERS MM, 15th Bn, returned to Australia, 21 April 1919; 582 Corporal Stanley Wilson BOWERS, 12th Field Ambulance, returned to Australia, 25 September 1919.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked from Australia, 22 December 1914. Wounded in action, Gallipoli (shrapnel wound, left arm: severe); admitted from HS 'Ionian' to 17th General Hospital, Egypt, 1 May 1915; discharged to duty, 24 May 1915. Promoted Sergeant, 29 May 1915. Embarked for front (Gallipoli), 10 August 1915. Promoted Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant, 19 August 1915.

[Record here has a considerable gap, the next entry being October 1917. It can, with a fair degree of confidence, be reconstructed as follows: Disembarked Alexandria from Gallipoli, December 1915-January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation). Proceeded from Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, March-June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, March-June 1916.

On leave to England, September 1917. Admitted to 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital, Bulford, while on leave from France, 2 October 1917; discharged to Training Depot, 30 October 1917; total; treatment for venereal disease: 19 days. Proceeded overseas to France, 17 January 1918. Rejoined Bn, 23 January 1918.

Wounded in action, France, 27 March 1918; remained at duty. Appointed Quarter Master and Honorary Lt, 13 September 1918.

Granted period of Non-Military Employment with pay and subsistence, 27 June-26 August 1919: experience in school teaching with the London County Council Educational Department.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Devon', 8 October 1919; appointment terminated (discharged), Sydney, 28 January 1920.

Medals: Meritorious Service Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Also served in World War II: date of enlistment not recorded on Nominal roll; discharged, 21 November 1945, as 263668 Flight Lieutenant, RAAF, No 1 Operational Training Unit.
Date of death1956
Age at death64
Place of burialPort Macquarie Cemetery, New South Wales
SourcesNAA: B2455, BOWERS Horace James

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