S15572
BOWER, Henry John
| Service Number: | 1271 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 January 1942, Victor Harbour, SA |
| Last Rank: | Trooper |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Jamestown, South Australia , 13 April 1892 |
| Home Town: | Jamestown, Northern Areas, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Saddler |
| Died: | 27 July 1960, aged 68 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Keswick Prospect Highbury Street Methodist Sunday School Roll of Honour, Keswick Prospect Methodist Sunday School Honour Board WW1, Nailsworth Primary School Great War Roll of Honour, Prospect Methodist Sunday School Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Oct 1915: | Involvement Private, 1271, 11th Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Hawkes Bay embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Oct 1915: | Embarked Private, 1271, 11th Light Horse Regiment, SS Hawkes Bay, Melbourne | |
| 7 Jan 1916: | Involvement Trooper, 1271, 9th Light Horse Regiment |
World War 2 Service
| 15 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Victor Harbour, SA |
|---|
Help us honour Henry John Bower's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Henry John Bower, known as Harry, was born on April 13, 1892, in Jamestown, a town nestled in the northern areas of South Australia. Henry worked as a saddler before answering the call to serve in World War I enlisting on July 5, 1915, at Keswick.
After being declared fit for service and receiving the service number 1271, Harry joined the 9th Light Horse Regiment and trained in Melbourne. Approximately three quarters of the regiment came from South Australia and the other quarter from Victoria. As part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, they embarked from Melbourne 26th October 1915 on the SS Hawkes Bay.
Upon Harry’s arrival in Egypt, the regiment became part of the Sinai and Palestine campaigns, a series of fast moving, hit and run battles across the desert against Ottoman forces. As a Trooper, Harry participated in recon missions, guarded supply lines, and helped secure strategic positions, all critical responsibilities of the 9th Light Horse. Although mounted, the regiment often fought dismounted, using their horses primarily for transport
Harry's early engagements included major battles such as the Battle of Romani (August 1916), where the regiment helped protect the vital Suez Canal. The Battle of Magdhaba (December 1916), where dismounted troops attacked entrenched Ottoman positions, and the Battle of Rafa (January 1917), which saw the Allied forces push into Palestine. His participation in these battles demonstrated the bravery and resilience expected of mounted troops in harsh unforgiving desert terrain.
However, the war took a toll on Henry’s health. He was hospitalised in during 1916 for a few of weeks from April with Dyspepsia and returned to duty in early May. In November 1917 he was again hospitalised with a debility and spent time in a rest camp. He continued to suffer from ill health in 1918.
Harry returned home on the HT Euripides departing 15th March 1919. He was discharged 14th June 1919.
Upon returning home, Henry was honored with his service on several honor rolls, including those at Prospect Highbury Street Methodist Sunday School, Prospect Methodist Sunday School, and Nailsworth Primary School, recognising his wartime service and commitment to his country. These acknowledgments reflect how deeply his local community appreciated his sacrifice and resilience.
In 1942, at the age of 49, Henry once again answered his country’s call and enlisted to serve in World War II. Henry John Bower lived a long life after his military service, passing away in 1970 at the age of 78. He was laid to rest in Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia.