Pte 331008 William Bowyer

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 23rd July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

William Norman Bowyer was born on 16th August 1895 and was baptised 2nd September 1895 in St. Peter’s Church, Liverpool and his parents were living in Arlington Street and his father’s occupation porter. He was the son of Arthur James Bowyer and his wife Mary Ann (née See) who had married 27th October 1891 at Bootle Church. Arthur was a 21 year old sailor of 67 Moor St, Bootle, father James deceased, whilst Mary was aged 22 of 11 Bullens Terrace, Bootle, father Frederick deceased. 

His parents were both born in Liverpool. They had twelve children, two of whom died young.  William was the eldest of the surviving ten children; he had brothers Arthur, Henry (Harry), Albert, Alfred, George and Charles, and sisters Amelia, May, and Doris. 

In 1901 they are living at 59 Penrose Street, Everton.

His father Arthur is aged 31, a dock labourer, mother Mary is aged 31. They have three sons; William is 5, Arthur is 3, and Harry 4mths. They also have two boarders. 

By 1911 they have moved to 50 Stonehill Street, Anfield, now with eight children.

His father Arthur is aged 40, a dock labourer, mother Mary Ann is 40(married 20 years, 10 children, 8 still alive), William, 15, is a butcher's assistant, Arthur 13 at school, Harry 10 at school, Albert 8, at school Alfred 7 at school, George 4, Amelia 2, and May 10mths. 

William enlisted in Liverpool in the 1st/9th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, as Private 3330, and at some point was transferred to the 19th (Pals) Bn. and  was given the regimental number 331008.  After training in the UK, William arrived in France with the 9th Battalion K.L.R. on 07th August 1915.  

19th Battn. War Diary in the area of MUNCQ NIEURLET. 

CANAL RESERVE CAMP.  

23rd July 1917 - During the longer part of the day the Battalion rested, a few parades being held during the morning under Company arrangements. In the evening the battalion proceeded to the line, relieving the 6th Battalion of the Royal West Kents. 

TRENCHES. 

24th July 1917 - Relief was complete by 3.15 a.m. During the day the artillery on both sides were very active, special attention being paid by the enemy to the front and support lines. A few shells also dropped in RITZ STREET and in the vicinity of Battalion headquarters (DORMY HOUSE). 

According to the battalion War Diary, on the evening of 23rd July, the battalion proceeded to the line, relieving the 6th Battalion of the Royal West Kents. It is highly likely that William was killed in action by shellfire during the relief. 

William was declared missing on 23^rd July 1917. According to the battalion War Diary, on the evening of 23^rd July, the battalion proceeded to the line, relieving the 6^th Battalion of the Royal West Kents. It is highly likely that William was killed in action by shellfire following the relief.

His death was reported in the Football Echo on 15th April 1918:

Private Bowyer K.L.R. (21) previously reported missing on July 25th 1917 is now presumed killed on that date. Before joining he was employed as steward in the Cunard Company, and resided with his parents at 16 Barnes-street, Everton. 

His body was never recovered or was subsequently lost, as he has no known grave, and is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

His effects, army pay of £7 4s 10d, war gratuity £11 10s went to his mother Mary. A pension was awarded to his father Arthur, living at 16 Barnes Street, Everton. 

William is commemorated on Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 11 Left.  

Liverpool Evening Express - Wednesday 12 May 1920 

BOWYER— Mr and Mrs Bowyer and family desire to thank friends and relatives and workmates for their kind expressions during their sad bereavement— 16 Barnes-street, Everton. 

His mother died aged 67 on the 28th November 1936. 

Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 02 December 1936 

BOWYER - November 28, after a brief illness, aged 67 years, MARY, beloved wife of Arthur James Bowyer, 2 Coniston Street (late of 16 Barnes Street). Interment at Anfield Cemetery, today (Wednesday), at 3 p.m. 

His father died aged 82 in 1954. 

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

Grateful thanks are extended to Joe Devereux for allowing permission to use the photograph of William now shown on this site.