Horace George Cecil Bowden was killed in action on this day in 1917
Horace George Cecil Bowden was born in Reigate, Surrey on 3 Jan 1897. His parents were George (Dental Surgeon) and Ada (née Wraight).
Aged 4 at the 1901 Census, he lived at 63 London Road (Rosenruth), Reigate, with his parents, his 1 year old sister Irene, their cook and a housemaid.
Horace went to Oakshade Prep School and then Cranleigh.
He was a good shot, representing his school at Bisley, and was Captain of the team when he won the Surrey Rifle Association Silver Medal for the best shot among the Surrey Cadets.
A dental apprentice, registered with a place as a medical student at Guy’s Hospital, in February 1915, age 19 years, Horace enlisted with the R.E Motor Group as a Despatch Rider. According to his Service Record, Horace was living at home at Sunningdale, London Rd, Reigate.
Horace served with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 29 May 1915. He was invalided home after breaking his collar-bone.
He was turned down for a commission in the Army, perhaps not helped by receiving a reprimand on 18 March 1916 for ‘neglect of duty'. However, dependent on a medical examination, he was able to go on and gain a commission in the Royal Flying Corps on 3 June 1916 and was directed to report ‘to the Officer Commanding … for a course of preliminary instruction on aviation’ at Christ’s Church College, Oxford.
His Service Record shows the complex machinations of his service career as he was transferred or discharged.
Horace obtained his wings on 12th August 1916 in a Maurice Farman Biplane.
He had not been flying for long when he spent three months in hospital in Le Havre with blood-poisoning.
He rejoined his squadron in Feb 1917.
A few weeks later, while on patrol over the lines north east of Ypres, Horace Bowden was killed in aerial combat 11 March 1917. He was 20 years old.
Horace is buried in the Military Cemetery at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, near Poperinge.
2nd Lieut. Horace George Cecil Bowden, 45th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps