Harry Bowers

Harry was born at Horbury Bridge in 1886, the son of John and Eliza Ann Bowers (although John had already died by 1901). In 1901 the family lived in Victoria Mill Yard in the parish of St John’s Horbury Bridge, and they worked in the woolen trade. In June 1908 Harry was a witness at his brother Jonathan’s wedding to Mary Stones here at St Mary’s. He himself married Mary Olive Kilburn in 1913, and they went to live at 27 Haggs Hill in Ossett. His death was remembered in St John’s church magazine.

Harry was a Private in the 1^st/5^th Battalion of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) (Service number 242534) and he died on 31^st July 1917 – probably during the third battle of Ypres. His grave / memorial reference is III. C17 at New Irish Farm Cemetery, just to the north east of Ypres.