Military History

Trained as a Gunner at Guildford, WA. Then transferred to Maribyrnong, Victoria.
Roll Rank Driver.
Roll Unit 118th Howitzer Battery, Field Artillery.
Embarked Melbourne per ‘Aeneas’ 2.10.1916 with 118th Howitzer Brigade.
Bowl disembarked with his Howitzer Battery at Plymouth, UK 19.11.1916. After a short period of training he proceeded overseas to France per ‘Princess Henrietta’ 8.1.1917. He disembarked and marched in to the Australian General Base Depot. He was transferred from 3rd Divisional Artillery 10.3.1917 to the 3rd Division Ammunition Column. Bowra fought at Messines–Wytschaete Ridge  and the Battle of Messines. He was admitted sick to hospital with Influenza 24.6.1918. He rejoined his unit as Driver 1.1918. Bowl embarked for the UK for non-military employment. He attended Jennings Bros. Buckinghamshire, Loadwaiters Course 23.9.1919. He was listed for return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Aeneas’ 22.11.1919.
Returned/Disembarked 1.1.1920.
Discharged 27.6.1920.
Final Rank Driver, No.1 Sec., 3rd Division Ammunition Column.
Medical Condition Invalided.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos  HMAT 'Aeneus'. Photograph source State Library of NSW image  a636033r
               Artillery horses on the Westhoek Road 1917. Photographer Charles Barnes. Photograph source AWM C00467
               DAC transporting ammunition to Birr Cross Road at Ypres19.9.1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0073
               Frozen, waterfilled shell crater, Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source  AWM H17002

Information Source
AWM C00467. Artillery horses on the Westhoek Road 1917. Photographer Charles Barnes, photograph source Pictorial Collection of the Australain War Memorial
AWM E0073. DAC transporting ammunition to Birr Cross Road at Ypres19.9.1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memoria
AWM H17002. Frozen, waterfilled shell crater, Wytschaetes Ridge, Messines 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- John Bowl
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Bowl J 29498
St Matthew’s Honour Roll
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

Swan Street, Guildford, WA. (Home not identified)

Associated Images