Current Information:

Age-24

Military Cross

135, Ivydale Road, Nunhead

Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France

On 1st July, 1918, the 11th Royal West Surrey (Queens) battalion of 123 Brigade, 41st Division moved into support positions in the middle sector of the front line between Scherpenberg and La Clytte, just to the South of Ypres in Belgium and on 5th July they moved into the front line where they remained for eight days before moving back to reserve positions in the Westoutre-Goedmoet Mill line. From here they spent the next week supplying working parties on a nightly basis and on 22nd July moved forward into the front line for the rest of the month  According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and those of Soldiers Died in the Great War, Eric Bowden was killed on 22nd July and they also give his rank as Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the Brigade Composite Company. However the Battalion Diary of 11th Queens records that he was a Major who was killed around noon on 23rd July while riding through Steenvorde.