More about William Bowman

William has no known grave but is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

William Bowman   CZ/330 Collingwood Bn   Royal Naval Division

BOWMAN― Born 19th December 1875, husband of Mary Bowman, of 49 Wilkie’s Lane, Hawkhill, Dundee, Forfarshire.

R.N.D Database

William Bowman was married to Mrs Mary Bowman of 49 Wilkies Lane, Hawkhill, Dundee and he was employed as a Labourer before being one of the first local men to volunteer to join the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve onboard HMS Unicorn for service in the Royal Naval Division after the outbreak of war. After training at the Crystal Palace in South London and Blandford Camp in Dorset he joined the Collingwood Battalion. He sailed with the Battalion and landed in Gallipoli in late May 1915. He took part in the Third Battle of Krithia on 4 June 1915 and was first reported as wounded, then missing and wounded. After a year he was presumed killed in action on 4 June 1915. This was the Collingwood’s first and last action because, as they advanced towards the enemy line, they were caught in heavy Turkish artillery and machinegun fire. The number of dead and wounded was very high and the Battalion was disbanded two days later. The survivors were distributed to the other RND battalions to replace their losses. William Bowman’s name is listed on the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey.