Lives of the First World War

Source information

ID: 7551640

Reference: AIR76

Title: British RAF Officers 1912-1920

Description: Officers who served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) between 1912-1920. This record set contains records of around 100,000 RAF officers.

UPP: GBM/AIR76/8985

Credit: © The National Archives

Source information

ID: 7610712

Title: Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer RNVR

Description: A cropped photo taken from a portrait of Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer RNVR and Julia Mary Bowyer (nee Lawlor) around May 1917.

Connected by: Paul4813

Source information

ID: 7610731

Title: Lieutenant Sydney & Julia Bowyer RNVR

Description: A portrait of Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer RNVR and Julia Mary Bowyer (nee Lawlor) taken around May 1917.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7610737

Title: Lieutenant Sydney & Julia Bowyer - Airship Hangar

Description: Lieutenant Sydney & Julia Bowyer (Right & Centre) in front of an Airship Hangar - believed to be at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk. The other people in the photograph are unknown - most likely fellow officers and family.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7613271

Name: BXCA 553535 Application Number COL323526

Reference: General Register Office - Registration District Lambeth

Title: Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth

Description: The above Certified Copy of an Entry of Birth shows Sydney Eustace Bowyer was born on 31 October 1878 at 56 Loughborough Road - NOT 31 October 1877 as shown on the official entry.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Correction of a Date of Birth error concerning Sydney Eustace Bowyer uploaded from an official record.

Source information

ID: 7615570

Title: Lieutenant Bowyer - Air Construction Corps (ACC)

Description: Lieutenant Bowyer (Back Row 4th Left) with fellow members of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Air Construction Corps (ACC). In civilian life, Lieutenant Bowyer was a Chartered Estate Agent and Surveyor. The ACC was a specialist unit building airfields. Its HQ was based at the RNAS Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk where this picture was possibly taken.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615578

Title: Lieutenant Bowyer - Sports Day Helston Cornwall

Description: Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Sports Day at Helston located close to the current RNAS Culdrose Airfield and the WW1 Airship Station at Mullion. Lieutenant Bowyer is 3rd from the Right. The cart behind the officers identifies the location as Helston Cornwall.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615582

Title: Lieutenant Bowyer RNVR - Cricket Helston Cornwall

Description: Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Cricket Team at Helston located close to the current RNAS Culdrose Airfield and the WW1 Airship Station at Mullion. Lieutenant Bowyer is seated 4th from the Left.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615586

Title: Lieutenant Bowyer RNVR - Tug Of War Helston

Description: Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Tug Of War Team at Helston located close to the current RNAS Culdrose Airfield and the WW1 Airship Station at Mullion. Lieutenant Bowyer is 2nd from the Left on the rope.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615588

Title: Lieutenant Bowyer RNVR - Boulogne France

Description: Portrait photo of Lieutenant Bowyer in his naval uniform seated next to an unknown Warrant Officer and Fellow Officers. Believed to have been taken around 1 April 1918 when the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed by merging the Royal Naval Air Service with the Royal Flying Corps. This was probably Lieutenant Bowyer's last opportunity to wear his naval uniform before changing to the new RAF uniform. Note the background wall is the same in the next picture with him wearing RAF uniform.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615591

Title: Captain Bowyer RAF - Boulogne France

Description: Portrait photo of Captain Bowyer next to an unknown Warrant Officer in his new Royal Air Force (RAF) uniform. Dressed in the Initial Uniform Design worn from April 1918 to August 1919 where RAF officers adopted the Army Commissioned Ranks - these were later changed to those used today. The badges of rank were naval fashion with the addition of an Eagle and Crown on the sleeve and Bars of Rank on the cap band. Note the background wall is the same as the previous picture with him wearing his naval uniform.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7615593

Title: Captain Bowyer RAF - Marquise Rinxent Boulogne

Description: Captain Bowyer (Right) and Fellow Officers in front of a portable hangar. Believed to have been taken at the Airship Station located at Marquise Rinxent near Boulogne. Marquise was a Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) sub-station to Capel near Folkestone operating C Class Non-Rigid Airships.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7616541

Title: Captain Bowyer RAF & Elizabeth Bowyer (Mother)

Description: Captain Sydney Eustace Bowyer RAF and his mother Elizabeth Mary Bowyer (nee Ladd later Elizabeth Mary Rowe - Second Marriage) taken outside 'Viwa' 9 McKinley Road Westbourne Bournemouth Dorset BH4 8AG.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7616910

Title: Captain Bowyer RAF - William & Margaret Hughes

Description: William and Margaret Hughes sitting next to Captain Bowyer in RAF uniform. Margaret Hughes (nee Orford) was the aunt of Sydney Eustace Bowyer's wife (Julia Mary nee Lawlor) and known within the family as Aunt Peg. The location and date of the photograph is unknown - probably summer 1918.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather. Lieutenant Sydney Eustace Bowyer's records show he was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) as a Surveyor on 20 March 1917 and served with the Air Construction Corps (ACC) based at the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Airship Station near Pulham St Mary Norfolk.

Source information

ID: 7738463

Title: RNAS Pulham - Air Construction Corps (ACC) HQ

Description: Officers and men of the RNAS Pulham Air Construction Corps (ACC) HQ on their Parade Ground surrounded by Huts. During WW1, airfield construction was co-ordinated by the Station Construction and Equipment Committee. At the start of the war, air power was a relatively new capability and the ACC was specifically established to build RNAS airfields. By January 1917 its complement was approximately 48 officers and 1,500 men, the biggest number being based at the Pulham ACC HQ comprising 17 officers and 593 ratings. Lt Bowyer was a Chartered Estate Agent and Surveyor posted to the ACC. His records show he was commissioned into the RNAS RNVR on 20 Mar 1917 and was based at the RN Air Station of Pulham St Mary Norfolk from Mar to Sep 1917 and then again in Dec 1917.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Image by kind permission of The Pennoyer Centre Station Rd Pulham St Mary IP21 4QT. © The Pennoyer Centre. The image is not dated - probably taken post April 1918 as a number of Officers in the front row are wearing the RAF Initial Uniform Design worn from April 1918 to August 1919.

Source information

ID: 8609196

Title: Sydney & Garrick Bowyer - Eastbourne East Sussex

Description: Sydney & Garrick Bowyer (Son) walking in Eastbourne East Sussex during June 1940. 2nd Lt Garrick Bowyer was on leave after escaping from France where he was one of the few members of the 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Infantry Regiment to survive the action at Amiens on 20 May 1940 - he was Mentioned in Despatch for Distinguished Service on 20 December 1940.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my grandfather and father. The photograph is from a family album.

Source information

ID: 8609228

Title: Garrick & Terence Bowyer - Brighton East Sussex

Description: 2nd Lt Garrick Bowyer & Terence Bowyer (sons of Sydney Bowyer) walking along the seafront in Brighton shortly before Garrick's departure to France with the 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Infantry Regiment. Terence was on the staff of the Metropole Hotel Brighton when this photograph was taken.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my father and uncle. The photograph is from a family album.

Source information

ID: 8609886

Title: Captain Garrick Bowyer RA

Description: Garrick Bowyer (son of Sydney Bowyer) transferred from the 7th Battalion Royal Sussex Infantry Regiment to the Royal Artillery (RA) after returning from France in May 1940. He served as the Battery Captain (Second in Command) of 358 Battery 109 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment RA in May 1944 and returned once again to France as part of Operation Overlord - the Battle of Normandy. Later promoted to Major in the RA.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my father. The photograph came from a family album. Believed to have been taken in Bromley Kent where 358 Battery 109 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment RA was briefly based prior to taking part in Operation Overlord.

Source information

ID: 8609899

Title: Terence Bowyer RAF

Description: Terence Bowyer (son of Sydney Bowyer) was called up and joined the RAF in 1943. During 1944, he served in a Signals Unit that operated Direction Finding (DF) Stations. One of his postings was to 'The Chalet' Northumberland and another to the Cocos Islands in the Indian Ocean.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my uncle. The photograph is from a family album.

Source information

ID: 8609909

Title: Sydney Eustace Bowyer - Birth Certificate

Description: This certified copy of an entry of birth shows Sydney Eustace Bowyer was born on 31 October 1878 at 56 Loughborough Road Brixton London. Note: Errors have been made on the certified copy incorrectly showing the sub-district as 'Brixham' in the 'County of Surrey'.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official document.

Source information

ID: 8612848

Title: Sydney Eustace Bowyer - Marriage Certificate

Description: Sydney Eustace Bowyer married Julia Mary (nee Lawlor) at St Giles Registry Office London on 4 February 1914.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Document.

Source information

ID: 8612860

Title: RNVR Service Record - S E Bowyer Service No 39601

Description: This form details Sydney Eustace Bowyer's service record during WW1.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612868

Title: Air Ministry Form 60 - S E Bowyer Service No 39601

Description: This form details Sydney Eustace Bowyer's service record during WW1.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612873

Title: Air Ministry Form 60 - S E Bowyer Service No 39601

Description: This form details Sydney Eustace Bowyer's service record during WW1.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612891

Title: British War Medal - S E Bowyer Service No 39601

Description: Transcription - Royal Navy Officers Medal Roll 1914-1920.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612903

Title: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery - S E Bowyer

Description: Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612928

Title: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery - S E Bowyer

Description: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery Index No UK 4408.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612935

Title: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery - S E Bowyer

Description: Graves Registration Report Form.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612942

Title: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery

Description: Schedule 'A' Grave Contract Form.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Official Record.

Source information

ID: 8612951

Title: Eastbourne (Langney) Cemetery - S E Bowyer

Description: Grave headstone of Lieutenant S E Bowyer RNVR. Since this photograph was taken, the family believe the headstone has been renewed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Family Photograph.

Source information

ID: 8662917

Title: Joseph Bowyer & Elizabeth Mary Bowyer (nee Ladd)

Description: A portrait of Sydney Eustace Bowyer's parents Joseph Bowyer born 22 November 1841 Merton Surrey & Elizabeth Mary Bowyer (nee Ladd) born 1846 Plymouth Devon taken around the 1870s. The portrait was in a mount by the photographer F Wiedhofft of 106 Holland Park Avenue W that may be of a later date. They married on 4 March 1871 at All Souls Church Marylebone. His mother was also known as ‘Bessie Kate’.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Photograph of my Great Grandparents.

Source information

ID: 8662933

Title: Sydney Bowyer with Older Sisters & Brother

Description: Family group portrait as a child. Sydney Bowyer left, sister Edith Kate, brother Harry Ladd Hawker (known as Harry Garrick) & sister Ida Florence. The photographer was E C Porter 2 The Mall Ealing W. The family had moved to Ealing by the time Sydney was aged 2. The photograph was probably taken around the early to mid 1880s.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Photograph provided by family descendants in Sydney Australia.

Source information

ID: 8662940

Title: Elizabeth Rowe & Family

Description: Sydney Eustace Bowyer’s mother Elizabeth Rowe (previously Bowyer nee Ladd) 4th from Right with fox fur around neck. Possibly Rosslyn Bowyer daughter of Sydney Bowyer 4th from Left plus unidentified Rowe family members. Postcard photo taken by photographer J Easton of Clifton Baths Margate. The photograph location was Cliftonville Margate dated June 1927. Margate was a popular seaside & health resort in the late 19th & early 20th century. Sydney and his sister Ida were both sent to small boarding schools in Margate in the 1890s not far from where this family photograph was later taken. Following the death of Sydney’s father Joseph Bowyer in 1908 his mother Elizabeth re-married a widower Richard Vidal Rowe who had six children. By 1927 Elizabeth had been widowed for the second time.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Elizabeth Rowe (previously Bowyer) is my Great Grandmother.

Source information

ID: 8662948

Title: Sydney Bowyer & Family on Beach

Description: Sydney Bowyer with wife Julia. Sons Garrick Dermod in the deckchair & Terence Sydney sitting on the sand. Probably taken mid to late 1920s on the south coast - exact location not known.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my Grandfather and his family.

Source information

ID: 8662953

Title: Garrick, Rosslyn & Terence Bowyer

Description: Photograph of Sydney Eustace Bowyer’s children. Left Garrick Dermod, Rosslyn Eileen & Terence Sydney c1931. Postcard photograph by Potters Photo Stores Hastings & Bexhill. Rosslyn Eileen was Garrick & Terence’s half sister from Sydney’s first marriage.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This photograph includes my father.

Source information

ID: 8662963

Title: Sydney Bowyer & Four Generations of Family

Description: Sydney Bowyer back row with daughter Rosslyn holding first grandson Kenneth. Front middle Sydney Bowyer’s mother Elizabeth Rowe (previous widow of Joseph Bowyer). Two other women seated are likely Rowe family members. Place unknown.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: This is my Grandfather with family members.

Source information

ID: 9406911

Title: Ruth Helena Huggett (nee Rowe)

Description: Ruth Helena Huggett was Sydney Bowyer’s stepsister. The youngest of seven Rowe children, she was born on 28 December 1883 - her mother died of complications following her birth. In 1922 she married James Henry Huggett in Chatswood New South Wales Australia. By the outbreak of WW2 she had returned to London - the 1939 Register shows her living at 55b Nevern Square Kensington. Ruth died on 23 July 1944 age 59 while serving as a civilian fireguard. At 16.23 on Sunday 23 July 1944 a flying bomb fired from the French coast landed where the North Gate of Nevern Square stands today. One person (presumably Ruth) was killed, 16 serious cases were sent to hospital and 85 people suffered minor injuries. Besides destroying the North Gate of the garden, the bomb caused severe damage to the houses at the north end of the square including No 55 which had to be totally rebuilt in 1958/9.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Sydney Bowyer’s stepsister - researched by the Bowyer Family.

Source information

ID: 9406922

Title: Ruth Helena Huggett (nee Rowe)

Description: Ruth Helena Huggett was Sydney Bowyer’s stepsister. The youngest of seven Rowe children, she was born on 28 December 1883 - her mother died of complications following her birth. In 1922 she married James Henry Huggett in Chatswood New South Wales Australia. By the outbreak of WW2 she had returned to London - the 1939 Register shows her living at 55b Nevern Square Kensington. Ruth died on 23 July 1944 age 59 while serving as a civilian fireguard. At 16.23 on Sunday 23 July 1944 a flying bomb fired from the French coast landed where the North Gate of Nevern Square stands today. One person (presumably Ruth) was killed, 16 serious cases were sent to hospital and 85 people suffered minor injuries. Besides destroying the North Gate of the garden, the bomb caused severe damage to the houses at the north end of the square including No 55 which had to be totally rebuilt in 1958/9.

Connected by: Paul4813

Additional: Sydney Bowyer’s stepsister - researched by the Bowyer Family.