TOPIC:

I am looking for information leading to finding out what happened to this man who was an uncle to my grandmother. he was mentioned on the 1901 census, as the husband of Alice, "a soldier serving in Africa". I can find no death record for him so presume he may have died whilst he was serving in Africa. Alice his wife committed suicide in 1906, maybe from grief. Arthur was the son of Robert and Georgianne Bowyer and in 1891 was living in Rhos near Wrexham. This could be the link we have with the Welch Regiment if it is true. He was born in 1874, in Gobowen, Oswestry. does any one know how I could find anything at all about him. Thank you

Codave,

I have checked the list of casualties in South Africa and, while two men of this surname did die there, neither was your man.

From the medal rolls, there are a few possible matches:

A Bowyer A Division South African Constabulary
A Bowyer 6th Battalion Middlesex Regiment
A Bowyer 1st Battalion The Royal Scots
Albert Edward Bowyer Royal Army Medical Corps

Do any of the first three seem plausible?

I have looked on FindMyPast and cannot see any service records for an A Bowyer either.

Kind regards
David

I am so very sorry all these years have passed and I did not answer you. I was starting my venture into family history and was very unsure of what I was doing.
What with family commitments, and work over the past few years I did not have a lot of time to do research, now I am retired I can spend time searching.
I have just remembered this website and have seen your reply. I feel so stupid not knowing you contacted me trying to help.
The A Bowyer in the police is probably the person I am looking for. Thankyou for looking for me. Coleen Coull

Coleen welcome back to the Forum.

Afraid what I have to report is not good.

I searched the 1906 British Newspapers on line for a mention of Alice Bowyer’s suicide and initially found this in the Liverpool Daily Post of 6 October 1901:



Thus it would appear to confirm that “A Bowyer of A Division South African Constabulary” was your great-great-uncle Arthur Bowyer.

If so, his rank was Trooper and his regimental number 1565. He can be found on Ancestry on both the Queen’s South Africa Medal Rolls for “A Division, South African Constabulary”. The first dated 8 January 1902 shows he was entitled to the Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal clasps. The second dated 1 September 1903 shows he was also entitled to the South Africa 1901 & South Africa 1902 clasps as well. However, on both, in the Remarks column, it states “Deserted 6 September 1902”.

I then returned to the Newspapers to see if I could find a fuller account of Alice’s inquest, which I did, a very full account in the Liverpool Evening Express of 5 October 1906. I have attached it to this post but not displayed it as you might find its contents distressing. If you want to read it just click on it.

At the inquest an unnamed brother-in-law of Alice, who could have been your great-grandfather, was a witness regarding the state of Alice’s marriage and the whereabouts of Arthur. His reported evidence on this was that Alice’s husband had gone abroad about six years earlier and they had last heard of him about four years ago, at which time he believed he was sending money to Alice. About four years ago corresponds to Arthur’s date of desertion.

Afraid I cannot access South African records but other Forum members can – for reference his full name was Arthur Richard Bowyer born 2 August 1874 in Gobowen, Oswestry, Shropshire.

The South African Constabulary (SAC) was raised in South Africa but did recruit in the British Isles. There is a book about the SAC published by Pen & Sword in 2022 and entitled “Baden Powell’s Fighting Police – The SAC” of which I possess a copy. Trooper Bowyer is not listed in the Index.

Regards, David (of Smethwick & Pembrokeshire).

Coleen, David,

I have searched FamilySearch but this only lists the birth of Arthur.

There are records for the SAC in the South African archives. If you contact rhino.research@icon.co.za, they will be able to search for the document for a fee which can be agreed in advance.

There is also some information on the SAC on the unit's page: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/so...constabulary?start=1

Best wishes
David