This is part of a three tier memorial (Middle section).
Dorothy Mabel BOWLER. Daughter of Sergeant Albert Edward and Gwendoline Mabel Bowler nee Ball. Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, died at Malta 7th January 1911 aged 5 months.
At rest in Plot 1, Row 23, Grave 14, Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.
Her father -
Albert Edward BOWLER. Born 1879 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland., Son of George and Sarah. In 1891 he was living with his parents and siblings at Thornbury, Gloucestershire.
He joined the army at Bristol on the 19th April 1898 aged 18 years and 11 months, occupation, a clicker in the shoe trade. He was posted to the 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, 5th Provisional Battalion. as private 5110. He was in South Africa (2nd Boer War) from the 4th November 1899 to 3rd May 1900. Promoted to Lance Corporal on the 30th January 1905. 1st February 1905 he was permitted at Plummer Barracks Crownhill, Plymouth to extend his service for a period of twelve years with the colours.
On the 10th January 1906 he married Miss Gwendoline Mabel Ball at the Registry Office, Devonport. 13th February 1907 he was promoted to corporal and on the 8th June 1906 he was transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. While with the Argyll's he was promoted on the 12th June 1908 to Sergeant Shoemaker. On the 15th September 1909 he was posted to Malta with his wife and daughter Gwendoline Muriel Joy born at Crownhill on the 7th August 1906. They had another child in Malta, Dorothy Mabel born on the 23rd August 1910, baptised at Malta on the 11th September 1910 and died at Malta on the 7th January 1911. This child is at rest in Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta. He re-engaged with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Chatham on the 21st December 1912 to complete 21 service with the colours and was posted to the depot the same day. On the 2nd January 1913 he was transferred as Sergeant 2256 to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Posted to join the British Expeditionary Force, France from the 22nd August 1914, While in France he reported sick and was admitted into No 10 Casualty Clearing Station near Poperinghe. Transferred to Etaples suffering from synovitis of the right knee. Invalided to England on the 10th July 1915 on Hospital Ship Dieppe and admitted into The King George Hospital, location not recorded. At date not known he was discharged from hospital fit for war service and was given sick leave. On the 13th March 1916 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers as Sergeant 129537, on the 14th March 1916 he was posted back to France he was now serving with No 1 Special Coy, Mortar, Royal Engineers, at Herissart, France
On the 6th June 1917 he was promoted to Company Quartermaster Sergeant . 16th November 1918 promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major with No 1 Special Coy, Royal Engineers, France. He reverts back to Company Quartermaster Sergeant on the 23rd December 1918. He was posted back to England on the 18th February 1919. On the 18th April 1919 he was discharged from the army on the termination of his 2nd period of service.
On the 8th August 1919 he re-joined the army for a period of 4 years, aged 40 years and 2 months. Occupation, shoemaker and he lived with his wife and family at Claremont House Truro, Cornwall. This time he joined the 1st Gloucestershire Regiment as Sergeant Master Shoemaker 5172885 at Catterick on the 9th August 1919. He was stationed at the following. Catterick 9th August 1919. Tidworth, 14th November 1919. Kilworth 18th December 1920. Looks like,Kantusk 2nd April 1921. Tidworth 2nd February 1922 and Cologne 12th July 1922. He was discharged on the 7th August 1923 He passed away in 1944 at Truro, Cornwall. His wife passed away on the 13th February 1963 aged 84 at the General Hospital, North Wing, Bedford. She lived at 45 Foster Road, Kempston, Bedfordshire. Her effects went to her widowed daughter Gwendoline Muriel Joy Beer. Her husband was called Ronald John H Beer.
