S Bowen (1897 - 1916)

Stanley Bowen was a younger brother of Edward Arthur Bowen. He was baptised at St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, on 10th June, 1899.

Stanley volunteered early on in the war, probably in August 1914. He served with the 6th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, travelling to France with the battalion in July, 1915. He was killed in action on 10th August, 1916, at Courcelles-au-Bois on the Somme. The battalion diary records: "11.10 pm. Enemy opened bombardment on our front and "Stand to" ordered by Brigade. 11.40 pm. Bombardment ceased. "Stand down" ordered. Casualties:- 8 O[ther] R[anks] killed, 3 O.R. wounded on working party in front line." Stanley Bowen is buried in Sucrerie Military Cemetery, Colincamps.

Private Stanley Bowen 13155, D Coy., 6th KSLI of 45 Bernards Hill, was awarded the Victory and British Medals and the 15 Star. His death was reported in the Bridgnorth Journal on 2nd September, 1916.

Stanley's brother, Edward, was also killed in the war and is named on the War Memorial.

ONE BROTHER KILLED, THE OTHER WOUNDED.
[Bridgnorth Journal 2nd September, 1916]
Mrs. Bowen, of Bernard's Hill, Bridgnorth, has received official information stating that her younger son, 13155 Private S. Bowen, 6th K.S.L.I, was killed in action on August 10, and her elder son, 135151 Private E. A. Bowen, of the same regiment, was wounded at the same time. Their platoon commander, writing to Mrs.Bowen, says: "They were both hit by the same trench mortar with five others, all of whom were killed except your elder son, while engaged on work in the front line. Your younger son was buried at 1 p.m. to-day (11/8/16), and your elder son is at the field ambulance now. I did not see the latter, but from all accounts I hear he was wounded in the head, and was suffering from shock more than the wound, which was not very serious. They were both excellent fellows." The letter concludes with expressions of deep sympathy, and hopes for the older son's speedy recovery. The Rev C. C. Aldred, chaplain to the 6th K.S.L.I., also wrote a very nice letter to Mrs. Bowen in her sorrow, in which he observed: " We laid your son to rest in the military cemetery nearby, some of his comrades attending the service, which I took and his grave is to be marked with a cross bearing his name and regiment and number. We feel proud to work amongst such men as your sons and thankful to you parents at home who have so willingly given your men for their home and country."