Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

ALAN STEWART VOWLES - A BIOGRAPHY

From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 Australian men were enlisted to fight in a war so great it was deemed “The War to End All Wars.”, Alan Stewart Vowles was yet another of these young men. A war so prominent was not triggered by just one event, but many. However, it is contestable that the main cause of this major war was that of the assassination of Austrian Archduke, Franz Ferdinand on the 28th of June 1914. Whatever the cause of this major occurrence, it’s lasting effects can be observed throughout areas of society to this day.

The life of Alan Stewart Vowles began with his birth on the 27th of February 1891 in a small inner suburb of Melbourne called Kew in Victoria. Born to Mary Lacy Vowles and Thomas Vowles, he was the first child of three. His siblings were named as Violet Isabel Vowles and Eric Lacy Vowles; Violet being the youngest child. Following the birth of Vowles, his family migrated from Cue, VIC to Perth, WA. The discovery of gold in the Kimberly, Murchison, and Kalgoorlie regions in the 1880’s and 1890’s had a tremendous impact on the development of Perth. Widespread economic prosperity meant that the physical nature of the city was dramatically reshaped. This lead to a drastic increase in population, within one decade the original population of the city tripled from 8,447 in 1891 to 27,553 in 1901. (Lambert, 2016) It is probable that the Vowles’ family also moved within this time period for the same reason as the thousands of others.

After migrating to Perth, Vowles commenced his schooling at Claremont State School. An otherwise typical school life was unfortunately disrupted by the unanticipated death of his younger sister at age 11 on the 21st of May 1905. Vowles was 14 years old at this time. A mere three years later, another death had occurred. On the 18th of May 1908, his mother, Mary Lacy Vowles also passed away. The causes of these deaths could not be identified. Despite these tragic events, Vowles graduated from Claremont State School promptly and migrated to Adelaide to complete his tertiary education at Adelaide University. After leaving University, having concluded with his Senior Examination, he was able to gain himself 3 years of military experience working in the 88th Infantry Perth and 11th AIR. (Vowles, 1914) The specific time period in which he served these three years is unknown although it is confirmed that it was after having completed university. Following having served for 3 years, he returned to civil employment as a pearler.

On the 14th of September 1914, at the age of 23 years and 7 months, Vowles was enlisted in Hobart, Tasmania. On the same day, he was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force with the initial role of 2nd Lieutenant in the 12th Battalion; having had previous military experience. 1 month and 6 days after his appointment, he embarked on board HMAT A2 Geelong from Hobart to Fremantle. Several days later; on the 31st of October, he embarked from Fremantle on the HMAT A7 Medic for active service abroad.

A few months later on 1st of February 1915, Alan Stewart Vowles received a promotion to the role of Lieutenant. However, it is unknown as to where he was serving at this point in time. One month later, on the 2nd of March 1915, the 12th battalion embarked to join the M.E.F on Gallipoli Peninsula.

On 25th of April, in a gallant act of brotherhood and loyalty, Alan Stewart Vowles rescued the life of his former school friend and fellow soldier; Ashley Vines at Gallipoli. On the day that this had a occurred, by pure coincidence, Vowles had been fighting in a similar area to Vines. In a battlefield littered with bodies, it was a miracle that Vowles was able to spot Vines yet alone recognise who he was. The pair had not seen each other since the likes of kindergarten yet Vowles instantly remembered his childhood friend. Spending the next five hours dodging bullets, Vowles helped to carry Vines back to Safety. (Hayes, 2015)

Following this heroic feat, Vowles himself was injured on the 17th of July 1915 and was sent to a hospital in Gallipoli itself. On 21st of July he was transferred to the base and embarked on board Neuralia for Malta. 4 days after this event Vowles disembarked at Malta and was admitted to the Military Marum, suffering from debility. Another 4 days later he embarked for England on board HS Oxfordshire, (leaving Malta).

Succeeding his arrival in England he was admitted to No.3 London General Hospital, (suffering from dysentery). Causing stomach pains and diarrhea, this gruesome disease struck soldiers in the trenches due to the lack of conventional sanitation. He remained in the hospital for a total of one month with this condition.

On the 18th of November 1915 he rejoined the unit at Mudros and one day later he was reposted. After having traveled to Alexandria in Egypt, he rejoined the unit at Tel-El-Kebir. The next year, he received a further promotion from Lieutenant to Captain on the 20th of February. That same year, on the 19th of August, Vowles was also awarded a Distinguished Service Order, “For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership during a period of operations, when he commanded the greater portion of three companies in the front line with great success and ability. His cool appreciation and handling of the situation enabled the position to be held against counter attack and under heavy shell fire.” (Barracks, 1917)

On New Year’s Day, 1918, Vowles was discharged to duty in the Indian Army at his own request. (Vowles,1918) After having served almost 2 years in the Indian Army, he was invalided on the 12th of December 1919 and embarked from Bombay on Burma for Australia.

After arriving in Australia, he was admitted to the 8th Australian General Hospital. Following his discharge from the hospital, he resided in Tasmania for several years. He also married to a woman whose identity is unknown. It is also unknown if they had children or not.

Unfortunately, he died on the 6th of June 1932 in his Brisbane home as a result of accidentally swallowing a quantity of poison which he obtained as a cure for a toothache. He was 41 years old at the time of his death and he had been living in Brisbane 9 months prior to this occurrence. (Syme, 1932)

This information is all that is known about Alan Stewart Vowles. However, his life after the war remains unclear; his burial place could not be deciphered.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

The AIF Project. (2017). Alan Stewart VOWLES. [online] Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=309582 [Accessed 26 Mar. 2017].

Australian War Memorial. (2017). Alan Stewart Vowles. [online] Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/people/rolls/R1884621/ [Accessed 23 Mar. 2017].

Spartacus Educational. (2017). Dysentery. [online] Available at: http://spartacus-educational.com/FWWdystentry.htm [Accessed 23 Mar. 2017].

History. (2017). World War 1 History. [online] Available at: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history [Accessed 24 Mar. 2017].

Australian National Archives. (2017). Statement of Service. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8398566 [Accessed 24 Mar. 2017].

Poisoned By Toothache Mixture: Military Captains Death. (2017). Melbourne “Age”. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8398566 [Accessed 24 Mar. 2017].

Barracks, V. (2017). Letter to Thomas Vowles. [online] Australian National Archives. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8398566 [Accessed 23 Mar. 2017].

Vowles, A. (2017). Application for a Commission. [online] Australian National Archives. Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8398566 [Accessed 22 Mar. 2017].

Australian National Archives. (2017). Casualty Form-Active Service. [online] Available at: https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=8398566 [Accessed 20 Mar. 2017].

Father Thomas Vowles - c/o GPO Box Melbourne, Victoria; and
Mother Mary Lacy Vowles (nee _____, d. 18/5/1908 Claremont, WA)
           buried in Karrakatta Cemetery and Crematorium, WA

Sibling:
sister     Violet Isabel  (b. 1894 - d. 21/5/1905 11 years old,
                                 buried with mother)

Next of kin in service:
Brother    Major Eric Lacy Vowles (WWI #311;  WWII  VX101868, WP22111)
                b. 18/7/1893
                Eric Vowles was in the first graduating class from Duntroon
                - survived Fromelles
                AIF Headquarters
                Returned to Australia 28/1/1919
                - went on to become an Instructor, the Director of Military Art; and              
                Last rank held in WWII  Brigadier - Royal Military College - Duntroon
Even more interesting, it was Eric Vowles who designed the RMC badge which is used to this day.

Alan's last known address prior to embarking was at the Naval & Military Club, Perth, Western Australia.

Previous service: 
3 years in 11th AIR and 88th Infantry (Perth)

Described on enlisting as 23 years old; single; 5' 10" tall; 11 stone 7 lbs;
Church of England

14/9/1914      Enlisted in Hobart, Tasmania

20/10/1914    Embarked from Hobart on board HMAT A2 Geelong to Fremantle
                     as a 2nd Lieutenant in H Company, 12th Infantry Battalion

2/11/1914      Embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia on board HMAT A7 Medic

1/2/1915        Promoted to Lieutenant

2/3/1915        Embarked to join Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces
                     on board EMT Devanha, ex Alexandria to Gallipoli Peninsula

In 1915, the SS Devanha took part in the Dardanelles campaign, landing the 12th Battalion of Australian troops at what was later Anzac Beach, then steaming up the coast as a feint to draw enemy fire. She was later converted into a hospital ship.

17/7/1915      sick to hospital - GALLIPOLI Peninsula
20/7/1915      admitted to No. Stational Hospital Mudros
21/7/1915      transfer to base - Embarked on board Neuralia to Malta
25/7/1915      disembarked and admitted to Millitary Marum, Malta
29/8/1915      Embarked for England on board HS Oxfordshire, ex Malta

5/9/1915        admited to No.3 London General Hospital (dysentry)
7/10/1915      reported at Weymouth, for duty

6/11/1915      Embarked, to rejoin unit, on board TS Andania, ex Devonport, England

For a few weeks in 1915 the Andania was used to accommodate German POW's in the Thames. Later that year it was used to support the Gallipoli campaign and was involved in transporting troops for the Sulva landings.

18/11/1915     Joined ANZAC Base from England

27/11/1915     rejoined unit, Mudros
28/11/1915     reported to Battalion, Mudros

The 12th Battalion evacuated from the Gallipoli Peninsula.

26/1/1916       Disembarked from HMT Lake Michigan into Alexandria, Egypt
29/1/1916       rejoined unit battalion details at Tel-El-Kebir

20/2/1916       Promoted to Captain

29/3/1916       Proceeded overseas to France, to join the British Expeditionary Forces,
                      ex Alexandria
5/4/1916         disembarked into Marseilles, France

7/8/1916         admitted to 4th Casualty Clearing Station with Papillamata
10/8/1916       discharged to duty

19/8/1916      Awarded Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
'For conspicuous gallantry and fine leadership during a period of operations, when he commanded the greater portion of three companies in the front line with great success and ability. His cool appreciation and handling of the situation enabled the position to be held against counter attack and under heavy shell fire.'

2/9/1916        DSO announced in London Gazette

15/10/1916     On Command at the 2nd Army school, France - as Instructor

10/11/1916     Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch for distinguished and gallant
                       services and devotion to duty, in the field

2/1/1917        Mention in Despatches (MID)
                       London Gazette, second Supplement, No. 29890
                       Commonwealth Gazette, No. 103. 29 June 1917

(1920 - granted Oakleaf Emblem for MID - whilst sering in Indian Army, 1/113th Infantry)

2/3/1917        On Command at the 4th Divisioinal School of Instruction
12/4/1917       rejoined unit from 'On Command'

26/5/1917       to England on duty, ex Boulogne, France
                       transferred to 3rd Training Battalion, England
28/5/1917       to 3rd Training Battalion

8/7/1917         Retain Captain Vowles with 3rd Training Battalion as Company
                      Commander

8/11/1917        marched out to overseas Training Brigade, Londbridge Deverill
                       Sutton Veny, England
1/1/1918          marched out to Headquarters, London
                       discharged to Indian Army

12/2/1918        AIF Appointed terminated - on being appointed to a Commision in the
                       Indian Army Stationary at Benarex

WWI AIF medals:
DSO medal; MID Oakleaf; 1914-15 Star (29388); British War medal (4053-later cancelled);
Victory medal (from India).

In a letter home to his mother he had stated that he had become the Recruitment Officer
within the 113th Infantry in the Indian Army.

12/12/1919    Invalided - Embarked at Bombay on board Burma for Australia

9/2/1920        admitted to 8th Australian General Hospital - War disability in Fremantle

Married                 

Last resided in Brisbane for nine months prior to dying.

6/6/1932        died by accidental poisoning
                     Captain Alan suffered from toothache, purchased a quantity of poison to
                     which he obtained as a cure for toothache, but accidentally swallowed it.

buried in:     

Sourced and submitted by Julianne T Ryan.  5/3/2015.  Lest we forget.