Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal J. Bowles, Liverpool Regiment, killed in action, 22 September 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (2571 Cpl., 1/7 L’pool. R.-T.F.) jeweller’s mark on obverse right field, good very fine £280-320

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916.

John Bowles was born in North Meots, Birkdale, Southport and in 1914 was living at 74 Chatham Road, Birkdale with his wife, working in a factory making mineral water. Enlisting in Southport during 1914, he joined the 1/7th Liverpool Battalion, which had been raised in Park Street, Bootle and was part of the Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division.

On 7 March 1915 Private John Bowles landed in France at Le Havre with his battalion. The Battalion was transferred to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division then, 22nd Brigade 2nd Division, and then on 7 January 1916 to 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. Throughout 1915 the 7th Battalion fought at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers, Festubert, Givenchy and the Battle of Loos.

The big battle for the 1/7th was the Battle of the Somme 1916. They arrived at Fricourt on 30 July and were in the front line at Maltz Horn Farm. On 4 September they occupied trenches between High Wood and Delville and on 6 September made a bombing attack on Tea Trench. On 25 September they attacked and gained control of Goat Trench and the Gird Lines, sunken road. On 28 September they moved to the Ypres Sector. During this period the Battalion suffered 437 casualties. During the Somme Battles, John Bowles, then a Corporal, was wounded in the elbow and was awarded the Military Medal. He was then promoted Sergeant and posted to the 1/9th Battalion Liverpool Regiment.

On 20 September 1917 Sergeant John Bowles, with the 1/9th Battalion Liverpool Regiment were deployed in the attack on the Menin Road. After a massive bombardment of some 1295 guns, the 1/9th Liverpool went forward with the bayonet. There was very heavy hand-to-hand fighting and 1400 yards were gained. During this attack Sergeant John Bowles was killed together with 6 officers and 30 other NCOs and men from the 1/9th Battalion. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He was the husband of Henrietta Millington (formerly Bowles) of 18, Broome Road, Birkdale, Southport, Lancashire. With copied research.