Driver Percy Bowen Royal Engineers
1914-15 Star. 1914-18 British War Medal. Victory Medal.
The Man Percy Bowen was born on Friday 11th May 1877 in Shifnal, Staffordshire, Son of Thomas a Groom and Harriet nee Stubbs and one of 11 children, Jane Elizabeth (1873 - ), Joseph (1875 - 1948), Sampson Stubbs (1880 -1948), Betsy (1882 - 1939), Eliza (1885 - ) and Amy (1890 -) and four others who all died very young. He was Baptised on 10th June 1877 in Shifnal
The 1881 census shows the family living at 39 Leyard Racecourse, Shifnal where Thomas worked and in 1891 at no 40, with Percy aged 13 still at school.
Following his education Percy followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a Groom and in 1901 aged 23 was working at Hafod House, Wrexham, the estate was once the thriving home of the benevolent Johnes family - often described as a 'paradise' for those who lived there; later becoming a Stableman for Colonel Dobson of Seighford Hall in Staffordshire
Percy met his future wife Elizabeth Wood in the North Western Hotel, Stafford where she was working as a Chamber Maid, they married on Saturday 21st January 1905 in Wolverhampton and they had ten children, Frank Slater (1906 – 1961), Stanley Thomas (1908 – 1986), Arthur Bowen (1910 – 1990), John Henry (1913 – 1942), Edith Mary (1915 -), Nona Winifred (1920–1988), Madge (1921 -), William (later Mayor of Stafford 1975-76, 1923 – 2001), Bernard (1925-) and another who died very young. Following their marriage they lived in Peel Terrace, Stafford before moving to 63 Back Walls North in 1907, the 1911 Census reflecting this and showing Percy as a Domestic Groom. After leaving Seighford Hall he drove a horse cab but when motor vehicles became more readily available, he became a Bricklayer.
The 1881 census shows the family living at 39 Leyard Racecourse, Shifnal where Thomas worked and in 1891 at no 40, with Percy aged 13 still at school.
Following his education Percy followed in his father’s footsteps becoming a Groom and in 1901 aged 23 was working at Hafod House, Wrexham, the estate was once the thriving home of the benevolent Johnes family - often described as a 'paradise' for those who lived there; later becoming a Stableman for Colonel Dobson of Seighford Hall in Staffordshire
Percy met his future wife Elizabeth Wood in the North Western Hotel, Stafford where she was working as a Chamber Maid, they married on Saturday 21st January 1905 in Wolverhampton and they had ten children, Frank Slater (1906 – 1961), Stanley Thomas (1908 – 1986), Arthur Bowen (1910 – 1990), John Henry (1913 – 1942), Edith Mary (1915 -), Nona Winifred (1920–1988), Madge (1921 -), William (later Mayor of Stafford 1975-76, 1923 – 2001), Bernard (1925-) and another who died very young. Following their marriage they lived in Peel Terrace, Stafford before moving to 63 Back Walls North in 1907, the 1911 Census reflecting this and showing Percy as a Domestic Groom. After leaving Seighford Hall he drove a horse cab but when motor vehicles became more readily available, he became a Bricklayer.
Percy's Medal Index Card
At the outbreak of World War I on 4th August 1914 Percy was aged 36 and not liable for conscription until May 1916 when the Military Service Act was amended to include married men between the ages of 18 and 41, however, on 18th January 1915 aged 36 years and 9 months Percy volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Engineers as a Driver with Service number 60538, giving his occupation as a Horse Driver, someone who controls a horse, mule, donkey, or pony that is hitched to a wagon, carriage, cart, sleigh, or other horse-drawn vehicle. On joining he was described as 5’.6” tall with a girth of 38” when fully expanded, weighing 135lbs and with good physical development.
Following his training he embarked on 14th June 1915 as part of the 71st Field Company for service in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, arriving in Alexandria, Egypt on 30th June. His service papers give his date of birth as 17th April 1874, which would have made him 40 years old! He then entrained to Mudros and then to Port Said, where on 30th January 1916 he received a formal admonishment for “Neglect of duty, for permitting a man of another unit to remove material from RE lines without reporting to Corporal of guard”.
On 14th February 1916 he embarked at Port Said landing at Busra, Syria on 28th where he held various roles including Pioneer Duties and escorting an Officer to hospital. Percy had his leave in India and for a time, also hospitalised on 9th June – 16th July.
Following the war Percy was demobilised and transferred to the Z Class Reserve on 1st April 1919, returning to his wife, occupation and address at 63 Back Walls.
By 1939 Percy aged 62 is now living with most of his family at 116 North Walls, Stafford and he had become a Bricklayer’s Labourer, his date of birth however, is shown as 17th April 1879, different again from his actual birth and that in his service recods.
In January 1955 Percy and Elizabeth celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in January 1955 at a party in their honour, which was reported in the local press.
Percy passed away on 26th October 1957 at the same address of Chronic Anyocarditis, Arteriosclerosis and Senile Demetia, he was aged 80 and buried in Stafford Cemetery. Elizabeth lived a further 10 years and died in July 1968 and buried with Percy.
Following his training he embarked on 14th June 1915 as part of the 71st Field Company for service in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, arriving in Alexandria, Egypt on 30th June. His service papers give his date of birth as 17th April 1874, which would have made him 40 years old! He then entrained to Mudros and then to Port Said, where on 30th January 1916 he received a formal admonishment for “Neglect of duty, for permitting a man of another unit to remove material from RE lines without reporting to Corporal of guard”.
On 14th February 1916 he embarked at Port Said landing at Busra, Syria on 28th where he held various roles including Pioneer Duties and escorting an Officer to hospital. Percy had his leave in India and for a time, also hospitalised on 9th June – 16th July.
Following the war Percy was demobilised and transferred to the Z Class Reserve on 1st April 1919, returning to his wife, occupation and address at 63 Back Walls.
By 1939 Percy aged 62 is now living with most of his family at 116 North Walls, Stafford and he had become a Bricklayer’s Labourer, his date of birth however, is shown as 17th April 1879, different again from his actual birth and that in his service recods.
In January 1955 Percy and Elizabeth celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in January 1955 at a party in their honour, which was reported in the local press.
Percy passed away on 26th October 1957 at the same address of Chronic Anyocarditis, Arteriosclerosis and Senile Demetia, he was aged 80 and buried in Stafford Cemetery. Elizabeth lived a further 10 years and died in July 1968 and buried with Percy.
Seighford Hall, Stafford, where Percy worked as Stableman for Colonel Dobson.
|
North Western Hotel, Stafford, where Percy met Elizabeth.
|
Percy and Elzabeth's Grave, Stafford Cemetery.
Medal Details:
- 1914-15 Star: 60538. DVR. P.BOWEN. R.E.
- 1914-18 British War Medal: 60538. DVR. P.BOWEN. R.E.
- Victory Medal: 60538. DVR.P.BOWEN. R.E.
This page last updated 3 Jan 25
90
