William Michael Bowman
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | not known |
| Place of Birth | Sydney, New South Wales |
| Death | not known |
| Place of Death | not known |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years |
| Description | 5'6" (1.68 m) tall; weight 129 lbs (58.5 kg); dark complexion, grey eyes, black hair. |
| Occupation | labourer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Keysbrook, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr William Bowman |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1515 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 May 1915 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 28th Battalion, 1st reinforcement, transferred to Australian Army Service Corps / |
| Date of Embarkation | 6 Jun 1915 - |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A2 Geelong |
| Date of Return | 3 Mar 1919 - 21 Apr 1919 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A14 Euripides |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Keysbrook |
| Medals |
1914 -15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
Enlisted in Pinjarra. On entry to camp was allocated to the 28th Battalion, 1st reinforcement draft.
Joined 28th Battalion on 18 Aug 1915 while they are manning the Cairo Citadel. On 3 Sep 1915 the 28th entrains for Alexandria where they board the HMT Ivernia and sail for Gallipoli 5pm on 4 Sep 1915.
On 2 Oct 1915 William presents to the 7th Field Ambulance with influenza before being seen by the 16th Casualty Clearing Station on 7 Oct 1915. Diagnosed with meningitis he was placed on board HMHS Soudan and on 13 Oct 1915 he was admitted to hospital in Malta. Later evacuated to England, he was admitted to the 3rd Southern General Hospital in Oxford.
On recovery was sent to the Australian Convalescent Depot and then Monte Video camp at Weymouth before being reclassified and transferred to the Service Corps as a driver on 30 Aug 1916. During this period he is treated for VD from 11 Feb to 21 Apr 1916. AWOL from 6 Oct to 8 Oct 1916 while based at Park House. On 26 Oct 1916 he was taken on strength of the 3rd Division Training Base Details before being admitted to the Fargo Military Hospital with malaria on 26 Nov 1916. Released on 5 Dec 1916.
From 31 Mar 1917 to 8 Aug 1917, a total of 131 days, he was treated for VD at the 1st Australian Dermatological Hospital in Bulford.
In late September he faced a District Court Martial in Hurdcott for being AWOL from 9 - 29 Sep 1917, was found guilty and goaled for 42 days in the Chelmsford Detention Barracks. Total loss of pay was 82 days.
William returned to France via Southampton on 19 Dec 1917 soon after being charged with neglecting to obey AIF HQ Orders. On 4 Jan 1918 he was taken on strength by the 5th Division Train and remained with them, trouble free, until he reported sick to hospital on 29 Oct 1918. Transferred to England on 3 Nov 1918, he was sent home on 3 Mar 1919 with bronchial pneumonia. During the voyage home he spent two days in the ship's hospital with heat stroke.
Discharged 5th Military District 18 Jun 1919.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries - 1922 at Trees Mill, a sawyer
Notes
identified via AIF Project site