Pte 22022 John Francis Bowler

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 7th March 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.D.19

John Francis Bowler was born 21st October 1894 in Liverpool and was baptised 12th December 1894 at Emmanuel Church, Everton. He was the second of nine children born to Augustus Bowler and his wife, Elizabeth, (nee Mitchell). John was their eldest son. No marriage has been found for his parents, who were both born in Liverpool, in about 1873. John had an elder sister Marian, and younger siblings Gladys (who died in infancy), Doris Winifred, Eleanor Margaretta (who died at age 5), Ernest Augustus, Hilda Augusta, Lilian Josephine, and Elsie May.

In 1901, Augustus and Elizabeth lived with their 3 children at 60 Boundary Lane, Everton. His father is aged 28 and a whipthong maker, his mother Elizabeth is aged 28. Their children are listed as; Marian, 7 years, John Francis 6 years, and Doris 2 years. 

John is found on school records attending Newsham School from 1902 until he left school in 1908 to work.

In 1911, Augustus, aged 39 and Elizabeth, aged 40 are now living at 95 Hughes Street, Everton. They have been married for 19 years and now have six children, the additions being Ernest, born 1904; Hilda, born 1907; and Lilian, born 1910. John Francis is 16 years old and a tailor’s assistant. Marian is 17, a lacquerer in a telephone works, the younger children are at school, Lilian is one year old. 

Another daughter, Elsie May, was born later that year.

His mother Elizabeth died June 1913, aged 42.

On 07^th November 1914, John Francis enlisted at Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22022. He gave his age as 20 years  and 16 days, and occupation as a shop assistant. He was described as being five feet six inches tall, weighed 119lbs, 35" chest, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, dark brown hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.

On 07th November 1915 John embarked for France with his battalion.

John was killed in action by shellfire on 07^th March 1916, aged 21, alongside another Pal Charles Henry Housden. 

A newspaper report gives information on the death of both men:

The Rev M. Linton Smith, hon. canon of Liverpool, and senior chaplain of the 30th Division, B.E.F., has written to Mr. Bowler, 95 Hughes Street, Liverpool, concerning the death of his son, Private John Francis Bowler, of the 4th "Pals" who was killed by the same shell that killed his comrade, Private Housden. The rev. gentleman writing under date  March 9, says that the Germans shelled heavily for some time on the Tuesday evening previous, a section of the trenches. The first shell caught some of the men as they were outside their dugout cleaning their rifles. "Your son and another were killed instantaneously, and seven others were wounded none of them, I am thankful to say, seriously. Your son can have suffered no pain, he was dead before his company commander, Major Watson, who was only a few yards away, could get to the spot, and in your consolation you have at least that slight consolation."

The chaplain proceeds : "He and his comrade, Private Housden were laid to rest in the little cemetery behind the trenches, of which I send you a small photograph, yesterday afternoon. It was a bright fine day, and a number of his friends gathered round for the service to show their respect. The graves are close to the two crosses prominent in the photograph, which also mark the graves of men of the 20th battalion and similar crosses will be erected in a day or two for your son and his fellow. The cemetery is well looked after, and at the close of the war will become the property of the British Government".  

"The parents of Private Bowler have received tributes to their late son both from the major of the company and the  lieutenant of the platoon in which he served:-

'Dear Mr. Bowler,
  I write to offer you my most sincere sympathy on the death of your son.
  He was in my platoon, but as I have only been here a short time I did not know him very well.  However, the best judges of a soldier are his "mates", those who are with him all the time.  It is the unanimous opinion of my platoon that he was a splendid soldier.  He had that cheerful temperament which is essential out here.  His cheerfulness spread through the whole platoon and helped everyone to keep smiling.
  Your son died the death best suited to a soldier; it was instantaneous.
  He is buried among some of his pals, in a pretty little graveyard in a village behind the trenches.[...]'"

We currently have no further information on John Francis Bowler, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us. 

We currently have no further information on John Francis Bowler, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.