More about Thomas Bowman

Thomas initially served with the Black Watch, before transferring to the Tank Corps and then back to the Black Watch.

Thomas Bowman   220   Black Watch

SERGEANT BOWMAN’S SHARE

IN THE GREAT FIGHT AT NEUVE CHAPELLE.

Sergeant Bowman, who lives at 35 St Peter Street, is at home at present recovering from the effects of a bullet wound received on 12th March, the third day of the famous Neuve Chapelle engagement.  Intimation of his distinction was received by him in a letter from Lieut. Ian M. Law, the commander of his platoon.

The note, which was written in billets on 1st inst., is brief.  It runs :^___”Just a note to give you my very hearty congratulations on your being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.  You may be sure all in No. 3 Platoon are very proud that such an honour has come to us.  All the honours have come to the company.

“The platoon is still going strong.  Sergt. Naismith is platoon sergeant, and is doing splendidly.  We had a good go in the trenches this last time, being in for eighteen days, but the weather was splendid, and nothing we seemed to do would rouse the Bosches, so all was peace.”

Interviewed by the “Courier” last night, Sergeant Bowman stated that he was not at all sure of what had gained him such a coveted honour.

Dundee Courier 5th May 1915

Thomas Bowman D.C.M.  M.C.  220 Black Watch  

WOUNDED SERGEANT OF THE 4TH

KEEPS GOING ON UNTIL EXHAUSTED.

Sergeant T. Bowman, of the 4th Black Watch, who is wounded, received his injuries on the morning of the 12th, and is now in hospital at Liverpool.  In a letter home to his wife, who resides at 35 St Peter Street, Sergt. Bowman states he was hit on the left arm and on the back of the ear.  He remarks he wants to forget about the battle.

From the reference Sergt. Bowman makes to the fighting it is apparent the engagement was a hot one.  The fighting, he states, started with them on the Wednesday, and it was on the Friday morning he was put out of action.  While taking part in an advance Sergt. Bowman was struck, but in the excitement he scarcely realised it, and held on until he fell exhausted.  At this stage he received succour from an Indian soldier, who temporarily dressed the sergeant’s wounds.

Sergt. Bowman has had a long connection with the Volunteer and Territorial movement.  As a member of the 1st V.B.R.H. he volunteered for active service during the Boer War, and possesses the South African medal with five clasps.  He also has the Territorial Force efficiency medal.  Before the war he was employed with Valentine and Sons, & Co., Ltd.  Sergt. Bowman mentions in the course of his letter that he fears some 25 of his comrades in the 4th Battalion will be on the casualty list.

Dundee Courier 18th March 1915

SERGEANT BOWMAN’S SECOND WOUND.

A Dundee D.C.M. has been wounded for the second time.  He is Sergeant Thomas Bowman of the 4th Black Watch. On this occasion, fortunately, Sergeant Bowman’s injuries are not serious.  He was injured in the head, but after a few days’ treatment in a base hospital was able to again take his place in the firing line.

Sergeant Bowman was previously wounded at the battle of Neuve Chapelle, when he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry.  His wife resides at 35 St Peter Street.

Dundee Courier 28th October 1915

Company-Sergeant-Major Thomas Bowman of the Black Watch, has been awarded the Military Cross for services rendered in the field.

This is the second war decoration to be conferred upon C.S.M. Bowman, who is a native of Dundee.  It will be remembered that he gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal for conspicuous gallantry at Neuve Chapelle, where his regiment played a prominent part.

C.S.M. Bowman has been in the Territorials since their inauguration, and previous to that saw considerable service with the old V.B.R.H.  He has been at the front since February, 1915, and was wounded at Neuve Chapelle.  C.S.M. Bowman was prior to the outbreak of war employed by Valentine & Sons, Ltd., Dundee. His wife resides at 35 St Peter Street, Dundee.

220 C.S.M. Thomas Bowman, Royal Highlanders.  He displayed great courage and determination in rallying and guiding the men of his company towards their objective.  He set a splendid example throughout.

Dundee Courier 17th January 1917

Extract from the London Celebrations of Peace July 1919

BATTLEFIELD VETERANS REPRESENT “DUNDEE’S OWN.”

Enlisting in 1897, C.S.M. Bowman held the rank of Sergeant when the battalion went “out.”  He was the first member of the “Fourth” to win the D.C.M., which was awarded him for conspicuous gallantry at Neuve Chapelle.  For great gallantry in November, 1916, C.S.M. Bowman was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4/5th Battalion.

The sergeant-major transferred to the Tank Corps in January, 1918, where he was engaged with an advanced workshop company.  He was demobilised in April this year.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 17th July 1919

General Sir Ian Hamilton in conversation with Sergeant Major Thomas Bowman, M.C., D.C.M. who placed a wreath on the Memorial on behalf of the Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Club.

Dundee Courier 18th May 1925

DEATHS.

BOWMAN. ―At Maryfield Hospital on September 23d 1946, Thomas Bowman, beloved husband of Helen Bowman of 27 Victoria Road, Dundee.  Funeral from house on Wednesday September 25th at 2 p.m.  Friends wishing to attend please meet cortege at Main Gate, Eastern Cemetery at 2.15.

Dundee Evening Telegraph 23rd September 1946

PLAYED DRAUGHTS BY POST.

A former caretaker of Caird Hall, Dundee, and holder of the Military Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal, Mr Thomas Bowman died yesterday.  He was 70.

Mr Bowman gained his awards while a sergeant-major in the Black Watch during the 1914-18 war.  He had a long connection with the Volunteers and Territorials.

A draughts enthusiast, he carried on games by post with people in all parts of the world.  He was a former secretary of the Liberal Draughts Club.  A keen freemason in Lodge Progress, he was also a member of the Order of Oddfellows and a former chairman.

He is survived by Mrs Bowman, two daughters and five sons.

Dundee Courier 24th September 1946