Regimental number | 720 |
Place of birth | Newcastle New South Wales |
Religion | Presbyterian |
Occupation | Wheeler |
Address | Neath, New South Wales |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 24 |
Next of kin | Father, John Bower, Neath, New South Wales |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 35th Battalion, C Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/52/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | Australian Army Veterinary Hospital |
Fate | Returned to Australia |
Medals |
Military Medal 'For devotion to duty after attack on enemy positions near MORLANCOURT on the night 5th/6th May, 1918. Private BOWER is a Company cook, and arrived at the Support Line with hot food for the Company. Being after daybreak it was impossible to get to the front line without being observed by the enemy, and he was so instructed. On hearing however that the men in the firing line had received no hot food since before the attack he on his own initiative secured assistance, and although sniped at over the whole distance from Support to Front Line, about 300 yards, he succeeded in reaching the Front Line by crawling and dragging a boiler of hot food behind him. He showed an utter disregard of personal risk, and his gallant action was greatly appreciated by the men in the line who were badly in need of hot food after a night fighting in rain and mud.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 Date: |
Other details |
War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |