THE LATE “BOB’" BOWE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1726, 16 June 1917, Page 3

THE LATE “BOB’" BOWE.

HE DIED AT HIS POST, w By the last mail Air and Airs T. Howe, of Alarotiri, received the following letter from France, concerning the death of their soldier son, Hob., so well known in this district prior to o lie ring his services to King and country about two years ago, and who made the supreme saerilice in France after serving through the Gallipoli campaign with the Fifth Reinforcements: — “Utli April, 1017. -Dear Sir. —You will have received news of the death of C. I. Howe on service in France. He was killed while on duty in the trenches on the sth of this month. His death was instantaneous, 1 am glad to >av that he received Catholic burial. I don’t know your relal iuiiship to him, bul i (-an assure you of tin* deep sympathy of all Ids comrades with his relations and friends.; Failhfullv vours, R. -RICHARDS, -Catholic Chaplain.” “D.T.M.O. X.Z.D.W., 7/4/17. “To Tims. Do we, Foxton, N./. ‘•Dear Sir. —Allow me to offer you in\ sincere sympathy in the bereavement of your son, Xo. 2/275U Gunner C. F. Dowe. He was killed iiisiaiitaiieoudy by an enemy shell bursting close by, whilst in action in the trenches, on the night of 0/4/17. His los> is mourned by his comrades. wlm held him in great respect, always behaving in a most soldierly maimer, and doing Ins duly ahsolutelv. He was buried by the Rev. Father Richards. ‘•II. H. WHYTE, Captain, “D.Y.M.0., X.Z.DAV.” "Fraimc, April i2lh, 1017. “Dear Sir. —! have taken the liberty of writing lo you. as 1 have been wilh Dob, your son, since the Somme, and was wilh him when he was killed. 1 am wrilhig because very many pa reals get very little in Format inn on such occasions. Dob and a little Scotchman took over what we call a retaliation possie. II is dn I v was to lire the mortar whenever the Germans sen! oxer heavy stuff. That: night there was a raid mi, and Ihe Germans put over a barrage. Dob and his mate lelt their dug-out in the middle of the barrage, and manned the gun, consequently exposing themselves. They had Just tired I heir first bomb when a small high-explosive shell landed mi the bank alongside them, killing hot in Death was absolutely instantaneous from concussion aloiie. 1 think Bob’s small possessions are being sent mi to yon. In conclusion, I might say that be died at his post, and not every soldier can say that. If (here is anything t can do, or any further information 1 can give you, f shall he only 100 pleased to do so. —A ours truly, “Cur. A.F.GIRES, 2 '2024. “N.Z.M.T..M.H.”