Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Jacob Bowler a quarryman, born on the 27th August 1858 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, and his wife Priscilla Bowler (nee Jackson, married on the 14th July 1879 in Christ Church, Mountsorrel), born in the 2nd quarter of 1856 in Melbury Bubb, Dorset. Reuben Walter was born in the 3rd quarter of 1893, in Rothley, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Martha, a Griswold hosiery worker, born on the 11th May 1883, Albert Henry, a blacksmith, born in the 4th quarter of 1884, Hubert Edgar, a stone quarry worker, born in the 1st quarter of 1886, Leonard Jacob, a stone quarry worker, born in the 4th quarter of 1887 and Robert Percy, born in the 4th quarter of 1889, the latter six siblings were all born in Mountsorrel, Kathleen Elizabeth, born in the 4th quarter of 1891, Evelyn Ida H., born in the 3rd quarter of 1895, Frank Lawrence Victor, born on the 8th January 1897 and Doris Winifred, born on the 13th January 1901, the latter four siblings were all born in Rothley, in March 1901 the family home was at Dobb Hall, Rothley. In April 1911 Reuben was employed as a quarry truck loader and was residing in the family home at Rothley Plain, together with his father, a quarry driller, his mother and siblings, Leonard, a quarry driller, Robert, a quarry general labourer, Kathleen, a hosiery trade runner on, Evelyn, a hosiery trade machinist, Frank, a quarry driller and Doris a schoolgirl. Reuben also had another older sibling, Sarah Ann, born in the 3rd quarter of 1881 in Mountsorrel and who died in the 4th quarter of 1896 in Rothley, aged 15. His parents were awarded a weekly Army Pension of four shillings for Reuben, this was to commence on the 14th March 1916, this sum was increased to ten shillings after the loss of their second unmarried son Robert, and was to commence on the 17th March 1919 and was awarded for life. Reuben’s two older brothers both fell in action, Robert Percy, on the 24th September, 1918 and Albert Henry, five days later on the 29th September 1918.
Reuben enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 31st August 1914 in Mountsorrel, and was allotted the service number 2235. He gave his place of birth as Rothley, Leicestershire and age as 21 years 237 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as crane driver (quarryman) his present employer being the Mountsorrel Granite Comapny. He gave his present address as The Plain, Rothley, Leicestershire.
His medical examination took place in Mountsorrel on the 31st August 1914 and recorded that he was 5 feet 10 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches and his physical development was described as good.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Jacob Bowler of The Plain, Rothley, Leicestershire.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. Depot. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 31/8/14.
Posted. To 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 31/8/14.
Embodied Service commenced. 31/8/14.
Embarked. To join the British Expeditionary Force, France. 26/2/15.
Disembarked. Le Havre. 27/2/15.
Admitted. To Hospital. Shotgun wound to the head and a fractured skull. In the field. 31/8/15.
Admitted. To 11th General Hospital, Boulogne. 1/9/15.
Died. Of wounds at 8.05pm. 8/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 31/8/14 – 27/2/15. 181 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 28/2/15 – 8/9/15. 193 days.
Total service. 1 year 9 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Reuben’s surviving service record amounts to a total of nine pages, of which only six pages relate directly to his military service, and these are in very poor condition with much of the hand written information in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 31 Aug-15 – 8.40am. Enemy universal shells over A.1. 7.00pm. Heavy trench mortar fired behind A.1 and again at 7.15pm, 8.45 and 11.10pm. In each case artillery reply quickly obtained. 8.30pm. Work commenced on new trench behind 50. NOTE: 1. The Battalion received complimentary order from General Officer Commanding 46th Division for digging on MAPLE COPSE communication trench from 1/8/15 – 3/8/15. NOTE: 2. 2nd Lieutenant D. W. PETCH and 6 men have attended a trench howitzer course at BERHEN. NOTE: 3. 2nd Lieutenant C. H. WOLLASTON and 1 NCO left on 28/8/15 for a Machine Gun course at WISQUES. NOTE: 4. Lieutenant H. J. H. MOSS, 2nd Lieutenant’s STONEHAM and CLAY, having reported their arrival, have been taken on strength of Battalion 31/8/15.
On Monday September 20th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Official news has been received from the War Office confirming the reported death, by the parents of Private R. BOWLER, who succumbed from wounds received in action in Flanders on September 9th. The deceased had enlisted soon after the war broke out, joining the 1/5th Leicester Territorial’s. Only 22 years of age, he was well known in Mountsorrel, and was employed by the Mountsorrel Granite Company.
On Friday September 24th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – MOUNTSORRELL SOLDIER KILLED. – Official news has been received from the War Office, confirming the reported death of Private R. Bowler, who succumbed from wounds received on September 9th. The deceased lad enlisted soon after the war broke out, joining the 1/5th Leicester Territorial’s. Only 22 years of age, he was well known in Mountsorrel, and was employed by the Mountsorrel Granite Company.