Memories and Pictures - Page 18

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Share your comments, memories and pictures of Pamber Heath or simply ask a local history question. I will do my best to answer you quickly. Click/touch to E-mail me and attach a picture if you have one. E-mail address will be published unless you ask me not to.

 

Page 18

Sep 1, 2010 From Trevor Stone: 'Having been born in Burney Bit in 1949 and lived there until the early 1960s when we moved to Green Lane, Pamber Green I've been reading with great interest the various items on your web site and am particularly seeking further information regarding Stanley Bowman who was killed at sea in 1941. Stan was the long term best friend of my dad, Bernard Stone, from Pamber Green and he was due to be his best man at mum (nee Phyllis North) and dad's wedding on the 26th July 1941. A few days before the wedding Stan was called away on a Naval mission so my dad's brother-in-law had to step in at the last minute. Tragically, Stan was killed at sea in September so my dad never saw him again but he still has a photo of him on his mantle piece to this day. 

I've only recently been able to locate his name on the Roll Of Honour at Portsmouth War Memorial but my dad has always wondered whether he was buried at sea or if there is, in fact, a grave somewhere.  Are you aware if there is any way I can find this out? Unfortunately, my mum died last December and dad isn't in the best of health (he'll be 90 in October) so I'd love to be able to let him know any more details about Stan's fate and would be very grateful if you have any ideas where I could locate any further information. Regards, Trevor Stone'

Answer - As far as I know, Stanley Bowman was lost at sea when the launch on which he was travelling was struck by a mine. The memorial at Portsmouth was a way of commemorating the naval dead without graves (those lost at sea). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record:

Name: BOWMAN, STANLEY
Initials: S
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M.M.L. 144
Age: 21
Date of Death: 22/09/1941
Service No: P/JX 215542
Additional information: Son of Ernest William and Alice Rosa Bowman, of Tadley, Hampshire.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50, Column 1.
Memorial:

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