Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Bowler a brewery fireman, born 1855 in Kegworth, Leics., and his wife Jane, born 1837 in Kegworth, Leics. Joseph was born in 1877 in Kegworth, Leics., his siblings were Fanny, born 1861, Henry, born 1864, Alfred, born 1866, Thomas, born 1869, Elizabeth, born 1871, Clara, born 1875 and James, born 1880, all his siblings were born in Kegworth, Leics., in April 1881 the family home was at Nottingham Road, Kegworth, Leics. In April 1891 Joseph was employed as a general servant and was residing in the family home at Nottingham Road, Kegworth, Leics., together with his father, now a brewer, his mother and siblings, Thomas, Elizabeth, Clara, James and Albert, born 1883 in Kegworth, Leics. In April 1911 Joseph was employed as a plaster mill labourer and was residing in the family home at Plummer Lane, Kegworth, Leics., together with his wife of three years Ellen, born 1885 in Cropwell Bishop, Notts., and their daughter Margaret Ann, born 1910 in Kegworth, Leics. His enlistment documents show that he completed a short service attestation for 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve with the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, and was allocated the service number 5879 on the 13th April 1898. He gave his place of birth as Kegworth, Leicestershire and his age as 21 years and 4 months, he gave his trade or calling as labourer and stated that he was unmarried. His next of kin was given as his father James Bowler, mother Jane Bowler, brothers, Thomas and Harry Bowler of Derby Road, Kegworth, Leicestershire. He later married Ellen Doughty in Kegworth, Leicestershire on the 12th October 1907, and they had a daughter Margaret Ann on the 14th October 1909. Information taken from his medical examination shows that he was 5 foot 4¼ inches in height, weighed 117 pounds and had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, his eyes were blue and he had fair hair, it was noted that he had a tattoo “scum of dog” on his right arm, he gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service shows that he was posted to the 1st Battalion as a Private on the 23rd August 1898. Posted to Malta on the 21st September 1898 until 22nd February 1899. Posted to Cyprus 3rd March 1899 until 23rd April 1902. Posted to the 2nd Battalion as Private on the 25th November 1899. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 22nd December 1900. Promoted Corporal in March 1902. Posted to Hong Kong in 1903 until December 1904. He was permitted to extend his service to 8 years and was discharged on the 12th April 1910. He was mobilised from the Reserve in August 1914 and was appointed acting Corporal with the 3rd Battalion on the 4th September 1914. Promoted Corporal on the 12th October 1914. Posted to the 1st Battalion on the 17th December 1914. He was wounded, suffering a shrapnel wound to his left buttock and was transferred to England on the 20th February 1915. His widow was awarded a weekly pension of fifteen shillings and six pence, effective from the 27th December 1915.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 21st, 1915

KILLED IN ACTION

MILITARY FUNERAL AT KEGWORTH

Corporal Joseph Bowler , a native of Kegworth who died at Wilderness Hospital, Seal, as the result of wounds received in action in France, was interred with military honours in the parish churchyard on Monday. He was 38 years of age, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derbyshire Regiment). After serving eight years with the colours he was called up to rejoin his regiment upon the outbreak of the war. He went through the Boer War, and gained a medal a four clasps.

After a brief spell in this country, chiefly devoted to instructing recruits, he was drafted to France and eventually found his way to the front. Wounded from shrapnel he was removed from the firing line to a hospital in Boulogne, thence to Chatham, and finally to Seal.

Crowds of people lined the route to the parish church. The coffin was draped with flowers and the Union Jack, and was borne by 6 comrades in arms and an officer, all soldiers from Kegworth, being accompanied by a military guard of the Leicester Regiment. Col. Picot and Col. Piercey were present, and there were two buglers from Loughborough, viz., Corpl. Jarrom and Pte. Waldrom. The service was choral and most impressive. The grave was draped with the Union Jack, and after the committal service the firing party fired four volleys over the grave and the buglers played “The Last Post.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 7/10/2017