Oliver William BOWDLER - 13th (FoD Pioneers) Glosters WW1 (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Sunday, May 04, 2014, 13:23 (3859 days ago) @ JaneyH

You're welcome Janey, here to help if we can.
Just a thought I should have posted last night - is it possible Oliver's mean "misfiled" under say Bowler or somesuch, lots of room for mispelling his name I think ?. No doubt you have done but I recommend you searching thro ALL the Medal Cards etc that bear any resemblance whatsoever to his name, I've had success in this way in the past. I'd try and help you search but my route - TNA website - appears to be having a holiday weekend. Yes he is a little older than average, but in truth a great many men older than Oliver served in France, inclduing in the lines. I read last night that the our oldest frontline casualty was aged 67 !.
http://www.abroadintheyard.com/britains-oldest-ww1-frontline-casualty-soldier-aged-67-k...

Back to Oliver, I wonder if his special skills and age/experience meant he stayed in the UK but still "trench digging" etc ? There would have been plenty of opportunities for that work on the Home Front too, eg instructing new recruits at training camps, or helping build said camps etc where trenches would be needed for training and suchlike ?.
Then again, unfortunately there will always be cases of missing WW1 Records including the Medal Cards, I think they're considered to include about 90% of the total manpower, equating to abt 5 million men, very good coverage but still leaving maybe 50,000 unaccounted-for ?. By complete coincidence while just checking my numbers, my quick "google" with no mention of Oliver at all gave your thread on the WDYTYA website !
http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/forum/topic10188.html

Contrary to the forecast it's bright sunshine and quite warm here in W.London, not rugby weather, hope its a bit cooler for you today and you all enjoy the tournament.
atb Jeff