BOWMAN, William Nesbit James
| Service Number: | 340 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 September 1914, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 8th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, 1892 |
| Home Town: | Yarpturk, Moyne, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Horse Breaker |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Brighton, Victoria, Australia, 3 November 1975 |
| Cemetery: |
Cheltenham Memorial Park, Victoria, Australia Harper Lawn, Section A1, Row L, Grave 3A |
| Memorials: | Mailors Flat Yarpturk State School & District Honor Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 340, 8th Light Horse Regiment, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 340, 8th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 340, 8th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Star of Victoria, Melbourne |
Help us honour William Nesbit James Bowman's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of James Daniel BOWMAN and Wilhelmina BOWMAN nee HALL, Yarpturk via Koroit
Husband of Margaret BOWMAN nee KESTLES
Distinguished Conduct Medal
'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When no stretcher bearers were available he went out and carried in two wounded men under very heavy fire. He showed great courage and self sacrifice.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 110
Date: 7 August 1918
HEROES AT THE FRONT.
LIEUT. W. N. J. BOWMAN, D.C.M.
Mr. J. D. Bowman, Yarpturk, has received word from the Base Records Office, Melbourne, stating that his son, 2nd-Lieut. W. N. J. Bowman has been reported admitted to 36th Stationary Hospital, Egypt, on 1st June, suffering from malaria.
Lieut. Bowman is one of three brothers who have served in the great war. His brother, the late Pte. Archie Bowman, made the supreme sacrifice in France in April, 1917. Pte. L. J. Bowman, another brother is in the 8th Light Horse in Palesine. It was here that Lieut. W. N. J. Bowman gained his distinction. The circumstances under which he was awarded the D.C.M. are officially recorded:
"When there were no stretcher-bearers he rescued two wounded comrades under heavy fire. He showed great courage and self-sacrifice."
Lieut. Bowman was the first to enlist in Yarpturk, and has been at the front since December, 1914. Being a skilful and fearless horseman, and possessing the finest characteristics of the Australian soldier—dash, courage and resourcefulness in an emergency —he has gained well-merited distinction and promotion. Let us hope that higher honors, and a safe return to these shores, await him.
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