Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"...494 Private William Reymond Bowen, 23rd Battalion. Prior to enlistment on 25 February 1915 he was a hairdresser from Shepparton, Victoria. He embarked from Melbourne aboard HMAT Euripides on 10 May 1915 for Gallipoli. Pte Bowen was killed in action on 13 September 1915 at Lone Pine, Gallipoli Peninsula. He was aged 22 years..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

"OUR HEROES. PRIVATE WN. BOWEN KILLED.

The Rev. Geo. Paul (who had been instructed by the Defence Department), conveyed to Mr and Mrs W. F. Bowen, of Wyndham-street, this morning the sad news that their second son, William, was killed at the Dardanelles on September 13th. The deceased soldier, who was familiarly known to his companions as "Pip," was a fine specimen of a young man, and had always been eager to go to the war. He had been employed as clerk to Mr. A. C. Tuthill, solicitor (formerly of Shepparton), and later on learned the hairdressing business, but for more than 12 months had not been in this town. He enlisted in Melbourne, was a member of the 23rd Battalion, 6th Brigade; and wrote to his mother on August 25th from Heliopolis, Egypt, informing her that he was to sail for the Dardanelles in a few days, and enclosing a photograph of himself and Jack Ash (also of Shepparton). He wrote on a post card what he termed, "a few fare- well lines," and also sent a postcard to his little sister Joyce. A brother of the deceased is at present in camp at Geelong." - from the Shaepparton Advertiser 04 Oct 1915 (nla.gov.au)

"THE LATE WILLIAM BOWEN. LETTER FROM THE PLATOON COMMANDER.

Mrs W. F. Bowen has received the following letter, dated Gallipoli, September 25th:-

As officer commanding the platoon in which your son served, I feel it my duty to write and explain to you the circumstances under which he met his death. He and a comrade were on duty at an observation post when the enemy opened fire on our position with their artillery. They had just vacated the post, acting on instructions received, when a shell struck the loop-hole plate through which they had just the minute before been observing. Unfortunately your son was struck. Death was instantaneous. His death has been keenly felt by his comrades, each and everyone of whom respected and loved him. As his officer I must say that, to his memory is due, the greatest tribute due to a soldier. A cross bearing the inscription: "494.   Pte. W. Bowen, -Coy, -Battn. Killed in actlon on 12-9-15," marks his last resting place. Don't grieve too much for him, for nobly has he carried out the noblest of all duties. "He died that others might live." Say then these words that he would wish you to say, "Thy will, be done." -W. A. CULL." - from the Shepparton Advertiser 29 Nov 1915 (nla.gov.au)