Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Police Station, Richmond, Victoria

Ballan, Victoria born Bert Fowles, the sixth of nine children born in and around Mt Egerton, Victoria, to William Frederick Fowles [1850-1929] and Jane Charlotte Fowles née Taylor [1856-1920]. The family eventually moving on to Fish Creek, Gippsland, Victoria.

Sixteen days following his birthday, 25 years of age, 176.5 cm [5’9½”], 69.8 kg [11 stone], sleeper cutter, Herbert George Fowles was appointed to the Victoria Police Force as a foot constable on 27 February 1913. Graduating from Bourke District Depot, Bert Fowles was sent to Melbourne District for foot duty at Richmond police station.

Perhaps the influence of the enlistment of Richmond police station colleagues, Imperial Reservist Constable James Martin 5869, as well as Constable John Pape 5879, or that of his brothers, Walter Ernest Fowles [1888-1915] and Edward Francis Fowles [1893-1918], encouraged Bert Fowles to seek his discharge from Victoria Police duty on 19 August 1914. Enlisting, on the day following, at Albert Park, Bert Fowler cited his address simply as ‘Korumburra, Victoria’.

Becoming Gunner Bert Fowles, regimental number 1040, of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade 5th Battery, the AIF placed him amongst fellow Victorians; the 2nd Brigade having been drawn mostly from that State. Joining Bert in the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, Gunner John Pape also enjoyed the mateship of Constable Herbert Leslie Newland 5833, formerly of the Camperdown police station, together with Constable Ruben Pearce Penna 5629 of the Victoria Police Depot. An Imperial Reservist, Constable James Martin was required to re-join the Scots Guards 2nd Battalion, British Expeditionary Forces.

Embarking from Melbourne, Victoria, aboard Transport A9 Shropshire, on 20 October 1914, being involved in Egypt, as well as Sinai, in the defence of the Suez Canal, Gunner Bert Fowles, as part of the 2nd Field Artillery, stormed ashore the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915, remaining until 2 June.

Gallipoli proved a frustrating time for 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. Ammunition, especially high explosive, being in short supply, as well as the extremely rugged terrain making it difficult to hit targets. At one point being ordered to place guns in the front trenches, on the 400 Plateau, to fire at the Turks like giant shotguns. Despite protest, twice such gun placements occurred, fortunately the gunners doing so without loss. In the end, it was demonstrated that shrapnel was ineffective against entrenchments, with considerable effort required to find suitable battery positions to provide arcs of fire to cover the entire position.

Following the initial landing, Shrapnel Valley [or Shrapnel Gully], although always under heavy Turkish fire, became the main route for Allied troops, as well as essential supplies between the beach and the frontline in the ANZAC sector. Falling shrapnel made a distinctive whistling before striking the area. It was during the battles in the early days of the campaign the name for the gully was coined. Later, several wells were dug in the valley with camps as well as Field Artillery gun emplacements constructed in the lower end.

During the continuous, intense shelling of the area, 26 years of age, Gunner Herbert Arthur George Fowles, Victoria Police Constable 5851 of Richmond Police Station was, on 2 June 1915, killed in action. Being laid to rest in Shrapnel Valley Cemetery in the former ANZAC sector of the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey, being one of 683 total burials, consisting of 56 New Zealand soldiers, together with 28 soldiers of British nationality, as well as 527 Australians.

Honoring the memory of Constable Herbert Arthur George Fowles 5851, a framed photograph was unveiled at the Richmond Police Station on an April 1916 Thursday afternoon. Inspecting-Superintendent L. Gleeson performed the ceremony before a gathering of justices, police and citizens.

Memorial to late Constable Fowles - The following report is taken from the "Richmond Australian" of 8 April 1916:-

“An impressive ceremony took place at the Richmond Police Station on Thursday afternoon last, when a memorial framed photo, of the late Constable H. A. G. Fowles [son of Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Fowles, of Korumburra], who was killed at Gallipoli, was unveiled by Inspecting Superintendent Gleeson. There were present: Inspector McGillicuddy, Sub-Inspector Carrucan, Sergeant Beck with, Detective Kiely, a number of deceased's fellow constables, and several citizens.

“Superintendent Gleeson said that, at the inception of the war, Constable Fowles, in a noble spirit of patriotism, offered his services in the defence of King and Empire, and was a member of the first contingent that left these shores. Those who knew him realised his worth as a quiet, good-hearted, and upright young man, always ready to do his duty fearlessly and conscientiously. They admired his fine character and his determination to do his part to uphold the cause of justice and freedom on the battlefields of Elirope, and hoped to welcome him back amongst them. But the fortune of war went against him, and he fell at the storming of the heights of Gallipoli. It was a thoughtful act on the part of his comrades to honour his memory by placing his portrait on the walls of the room where they had so often met together.

“Inspector McGillicuddy paid a tribute to the memory, of their deceased comrade, who had died the death of a hero. There could be no nobler death for a soldier than to die fighting for his country and Empire. They valued his friendship in life, and in death united to honour his memory feeling that they had lost a genial good-hearted comrade.

“Captain [Dr] Agnew, who recently arrived from the scene of hostilities was present, and in response to a request spoke a few words. His references to touching incidents of his experience on the battlefield were very pathetic, and he rose to a high pitch of eloquence in describing the heroism, self-denial, and enthusiasm of the Australian soldiers. He said he was writing a brief narrative which he hoped to be able to place before the school children as an example of Australian patriotism and devotion to duty. Everywhere he went through Egypt, France, England, and Scotland, he heard nothing but praise for the great work the Australian's had done at Gallipoli.

“Officers and men spoke with one voice regarding the valour and heroism of the Australians, and that praise was well deserved. Despite the din of battle and clash of arms, he had spent the happiest days of his life in the presence of those noble fellows, of whom their late comrade was a worthy unit. As a magistrate, he had many opportunities of noting Constable Fowles' quiet, gentlemanly bearing in the police court, and felt that a promising career had been cut short; but his death was a noble one, and it was fitting, that they should honour the memory of such a man.

“Sub-Inspector Currucan, who was in charge of the Richmond Police Station, also bore testimony to the sterling qualities of Constable Bert Fowles, whose death was a loss to the police force.

“Dr. Maurice McGillicuddy also spoke a few words of appreciation, and said his experience in attending many of the returned soldiers, was such as strengthened the high opinion he had formed of their zeal and patriotism for their country and Empire. There was, he feared, a tendency, on the part of the public, to forget the great services these men had rendered; but memorials of this nature would help to keep in grateful remembrance their noble deeds.”

Herbert Arthur George Fowles

In sad but loving memory of our dear son, Gunner H. A. G. Fowles, 5th Battery, Field Artillery, killed in action at Gallipoli on 2nd June, 1915. Sadly missed.
His heart was good, his spirits brave,
His resting place a hero's grave;
To know and to love, and then to part
Is the saddest story of the human heart,
I shall know his voice in the angels' song,
His step on the golden door;
And his smile of welcome when I meet him him there,
Over on the golden shore. — Inserted by his loving mother.

In fond and loving memory of my dear brothers, Herbert Arthur George, killed in action at Gallipoli on 2nd June, 1915; also Walter Ernest, killed in action [reported missing] 7th August, 1915; also Ted [late of 7th Btn.], died of pneumonia 26th April, 1918. All reunited — Inserted by their loving sister-in-law and brother, Will.

A tribute to the memory of my dear comrade, Gunner H. A. G. Fowles, 5th Battery, A.I.F., who was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 2nd June, 1915. One of the best. — Inserted by his old pal, J. Pape, Police Station Mildura, late 5th Battery, A.I.F.