Bowstead: Private James Ernest (572)

1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment

James Ernest Bowstead was the son of Edward Charles and Sarah Jane Elizabeth Bowstead. His address was 22 Bloomsbury Street, Cheltenham: he is also associated with 12 St Paul’s Street South, Cheltenham. He was an old boy of Holy Trinity School.

James’ regimental number indicates that he was probably a Special Reservist. He arrived in France on 11 November 1914 and served with ‘A’ Company, 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment throughout the war without any illness or injury.

On returning home on 26 January 1919, he was taken ill three days later and died of pneumonia in Suffolk Hall VAD Hospital on 3 February, age 22. He was buried in Cheltenham Borough Cemetery, where his grave is marked with a CWGC headstone.

He is commemorated on the Cheltenham Borough War Memorial and that of St Peter’s Church (Tewkesbury Road).

Researched by Graham Adams 15 February 2012

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