Virtual
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Cliff was one of triplets born to Florence Ethelwyn Emily and Ernest Oscar Bowman on the 23rd February 1907. His fellow brothers were Stanley and Keith Edmond. Their sister, Kathleen Mary was born the following year followed by Alice Mavis then Nelson Ernest in 1912. The triplets had just turned eight when their three-year-old sister, Freda Ethelwyne, died in hospital. She was buried in the Ardrossan Cemetery following her death on the 1st September 1918.
Living in country Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula, the area was a prime wheat and barley agricultural region and a generous seaport to transport produce. Typically, entire families were involved in local activities. Ernest was heavily involved in the local tennis club as vice-captain and was the club delegate as well as playing golf. He was also strongly loyal to those who worked hard for the betterment of the district, being a strong advocate for the representative of the Farmers’ Union who was unfairly dismissed in ’25. The following year Ern again attained notoriety whilst out fishing with his brother and encountering a seven-foot tiger shark, which they caught. This adventure was followed by seeing a huge sea lion which he described as having “a body like a cow, with big, wide head and a lovely brownish-yellow, shaggy. coat. This hug. creature had no legs but leaped like a kangaroo and stood six feet high.” Fortunately, it headed from its seaweed bed on the shore for the sea, leaving the brothers with a story to embellish for their families and the locals. It was the stuff of legends for the children to hear these stories recounted.
The children attended the local Ardrossan School, later working as farm labourers. Cliff and Stan as young teenagers were also involved in the holiday sports gathering at the local recreation grounds with Cliff coming second in a half mile bike race in ’42. They were also regular players in the local football team but also readily became involved in fundraising events including a Fancy-Dress Ball where they won a prize for their outfits.
Being triplets, the three brothers became a photographed feature in the Pioneer just prior to their 19th birthdays. In later years (1949) the Pioneer published a list of other triplets born on the Yorke Peninsula. These included the arrival of three girls, then two Polkinghorne boys and a girl triplets who all served during WWII plus the Bowman triplets, adding that ‘Stan, one of the Bowman triplets, was killed in action in World War II.’
In 1936 Cliff married Doris Olive Abbot at the Stansbury Methodist Church in an evening ceremony on the 4th February. MARRIAGES ABBOT — BOWMAN. — The marriage of Doris second daughter of Mrs. Keating, of Kadina and the late Mr. W H. Abbot, to Clifford, triplet son of Mr. and Mrs E O. Bowman of Stansbury will be solemnised at Stansbury Methodist Church on Tuesday the 4th February at 7.30 pm. No reception.’

Soon after, War intervened. Stan was the first to enlist on the 3rd July 1940 in Mackay, Queensland as QX13173. He was allocated to the 2/9th Battalion. He arrived in the Middle East on the 3rd May ’41. Sadly, within 18 months of enlisting he was wounded in Egypt and died of those wounds on the 12th August ’41 aged 34. His service is recognised on the Rats of Tobruk Memorial at east Mackay and he is named one of ten local men who gave their lives during the war and are commemorated on the Stansbury Memoria gates.

Cliff’s younger sister, 32-year-old Kathleen, a nursing sister was the second to enlist, just a month after Stan on the 13th August ’40. She was allocated the number SX10154 and arrived in the Middle East in March ’41, serving there until February ’43. Whilst there, she saw her cousin, Tom Bowman of the 2/48th being treated in hospital for sandfly fever and was able to inform his family. On her return to Australia in October ’43 she was appointed to the rank of Captain, serving in this capacity in the Adelaide Military Hospital eventually being discharged in March ’46 (Kathleen lived to be 100. She died on the 16th November 2008 and now rests in Centennial park Cemetery.)
Shattering news was received in August ’41 with the local Pioneer sharing the distressing news under the heading ‘For King and Country’ that ‘The Late Pte. Stan Bowman 34, of Stansbury, has died of wounds on active service. He was the triplet son of Mr. and Mrs. E O. Bowman, of Maitland, and enlisted in July. 1940, leaving for overseas last March. A sister (Kath) is abroad with the Army Nurses. Private Bowman is survived by his widow and four children.’ The family placed a tribute to Stan ‘BOWMAN. —On the 12th of August, died of wounds, Private Stan Bowman, dearly loved triplet son of Mr. and Mrs. Ern Bowman, Maitland, and loving brother of Mavis Kath (staff sister. A.I.F., abroad), Gwen, Keith, Cliff and Nelson. His duty nobly done.’

34-year-old Cliff enlisted the following year in January, ’42 (His cousin, 26-year-old Tom Bowman from Ardrossan, had already enlisted in July ’40 as SX9327 in the 2/48th Battalion where he rose to become Lieutenant.) Cliff was able to return home on pre-embarkation leave with other enlistees from the area in July before sailing for the Middle East. On his arrival in October, he became part of the 2/48th Battalion as one of their reinforcements. The sense of loyalty, bravery and support for fellow soldiers in the battalion was a feature.
That month, tragedy again struck with his cousin, Lieutenant Tom Bowden being killed in the intensely fought attack on the German held Trig 29. Distressingly for the family, Tom’s body was not located as those with whom he charged and witnessed him being injured, were then later also killed. With the battle raging for several days the area was also heavily traversed.
Cliff wrote to his family that ‘Tom was ‘admired for his cool courage under all conditions.’ He related a story of how Tom was taking his men on a particularly long penetrating patrol seeking tactical information. The ground was heavily mined, and wire entanglements were everywhere. On reaching a particularly dangerous spot, Tom told the men he couldn’t ask them to go in unless he found what was ahead. He ordered them to stay and then with cool precision went on and cleared the mines himself. His success on these patrols was invaluable to H.Q. as he always managed such deep penetration into the enemy position which was invaluable for future offensives. Cliff added that Tom was a marvellous soldier and that his work in the July campaign is still spoken of with admiration and his men would have followed him through anything.’
By February the following year, Cliff’s 2/48th Battalion returned to Australia via Melbourne, then home for well-earned leave. Training in the heat and humidity of Queensland followed. This was to prepare the troops for conditions they would face in New Guinea. A photo of the group was taken in March ’45 on the Atherton Tableland. Soon afterwards, Cliff left Cairns for Milne Bay. The next nine months were spent in the tropics. Unfortunately, on his return to Australia in July ’44 Cliff was treated for malaria, returning to Morotai in April ’45 to then serve at Tarakan until he was discharged on the 8th November ‘45.
His father, Ernest, died in June 1949 aged 75. Florence died in 1967 with both being buried in the Maitland Cemetery alongside each other.
Post war, Doris and Cliff returned to live and farm in Stansbury where their children enjoyed similar pursuits to those Cliff enjoyed as a youngster. Ron becoming a prefect at the Yorketown Area school in ’52 and the following year Alan, a talented bowler was chosen in the very successful Yorke Peninsula Representative Cricket team.
Aged 85, Cliff died on the 19th September ’92 at the Minlaton Hospital. He continued to remember his 2/48th Battalion and its members with pride for the rest of his days. The Advertiser carried an announcement of his death. ‘BOWMAN, Clifford Thomas (Cliff). - 2nd 48th Battalion D Company, of Stansbury. On September 19, 1992, at Minlaton Hospital. Aged 85 years. Loving husband of Doris. Loved and loving father of Ron and Jen, Alan and Judy. Fond grandpa of Leon and Natalie, Darrayl and Kathryn, Sharon and Pete, Geoff and Kerry and Brenton. Great-grandpa of Joshua, Natasha, Belinda, Ryan and Ashleigh. He will always be in our hearts.’ The 2/48th Battalion Welfare Club also honoured his passing
Cliff was buried in the nearby Stansbury Cemetery in Row E Plot 770. A plaque is also a tribute to his war service in the 2/48th Battalion. (Doris lived to be 94. She died on the 7th March 2008 and now rests with Cliff in the Stansbury Cemetery.)
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.