Current Information:

Born-Islington

Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoue, France

On 23rd January, 1915, the 1st King’s Royal Rifle Corps battalion of 6 Brigade, 2nd Division moved into the front line near Richebourg-l’Avoue where they remained until relieved on 28th January. John Bowers was killed in on 25th January when at 7.30am there was heavy artillery fire on the battalion’s support positions but no infantry attack. As yet there is no further information concerning his death. The attrition rate among British soldiers on the Western Front was on average 300 each day and 60% of these were as a result of shellfire. When not involved in an actual battle it was either shell fire or a sniper’s bullet that caused most deaths and injuries.