Huthwaite WW One Memorial
1914 - 1918 Remembrance
Ernest Bower
Lance Corp 46790 - Northumberland Fusiliers
North Staffs Regiment 11th Battalion
Enlisted: Sutton-in-Ashfield 1916
Killed in Action Flanders 3rd June 1917 : Aged 24
Oosttaverne Wood Cemetery VI. D. 7.
Huthwaite Online WW1 Remembrance
Lance Corporal 46790 Ernest Bower was born Q4 1892 in Hucknall Huthwaite. A widowed Mrs Mary Ellen Bower from Sheffield mothered her only son sharing her parents future New Fall Street home. Heading that 1901 household was Pork Butcher Mr John Bedford 56, Mrs Annie Bedford 53, Mrs Mary E Bower with Ernest 8.
Mr Ernest Bower appears brought up by those Bedford grandparents as a Pork Butchers assistant. Mothers c1905 remarriage between Mrs Mary Ellen Bower and Grocer Mr Samuel Buxton may have devoted more time raising her second son at Sutton. However, 1911 Sutton-in-Ashfield census lists 94 Main Street headed by Mr Samuel Buxton 40, wife Mrs Mary Buxton 40, son John William Gent 5, step son Ernest Bower 18, plus nephew Harold Arthur Bower 17 assisting their grocers home business.
Pte Ernest Bower enlisted in Sutton town just months after marrying a Miss Lilian Oldham in Q1 1916. The formerly numbered Pte 37663 E Bower left grandparents New Fall Street, Huthwaite, butchers business to begin army training. Changed service number ultimately recognised a promoted Lance Corporal 46790 Ernest Bower serving 11th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, North Staffordshire Regiment. About a year after landing in France, he was killed in action near Ypres 3rd June 1917, aged 24.
Huthwaite Soldier Killed
Lance-corporal E. Bower
News was received on the 7th. inst. of the death in action of Lance-Corporal E. Bower (North Staffs Regiment). The intimation was conveyed to his wife by a letter from Second Lieutenant R. H. Penny, who stated that Lance - Corporal Bower was killed instantaneously on the previous Sunday while in action with a machine-gun section. The deceased soldier was 24 years of age and had been married 15 months. He was in business in New Fall Street, and was brought up by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bedford. His death occurred just a year after his joining up. He had been some time in France, and Second Lieutenant Penny’s letter assured his wife of the sympathy of himself and the whole platoon. Lance-Corporal Bower was well-known in the town, and his death has been a great blow to his aged grandparents.
(Summary)
A memorial service was held to L/cpl E. Bower (N. Staffs) L/cpl A. Weston (KRR) and Privates George Stubbins (Sherwood Foresters) H. Burton and T. Phillips (both Canadian contingents) - Phillips was missing 12 months before he was reported as killed.
Bower- the Vicar remarked on the hardship of a young widow – the only married one of the five – and also the deep affection which had always existed between him and his grandparents.
- In Memoriam -
In loving memory of my dear Husband, Lance-Corporal Ernest Bower, Northumberland Fusiliers, killed near Ypres, 3rd. June, 1917. There are links that death cannot sever, Love and memory live forever.-
From his loving Wife.
In Loving Memory of Lance-Corporal E. Bower, Northumberland Fusiliers, killed in Action, June 3rd. 1917. Fondly remembered.-
From Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence, and Joseph.
23 Jul 06 by Gary Elliott Updated 24 May 09