A line of farmers, my Bowmer ancestors came from Shottle in Derbyshire, where they maintained a strong friendship with their neighbours, the Beardsley’s.
The daughter of William Beardsley and his wife Mary Ann (née Brayfield), Elizabeth worked as a cook at the Rectory in Dalbury, Derbyshire, before she married John Bowmer.
William, known as ‘Billy’, was born at Belper, and moved with his family to Smalley, Derbyshire, between 1891 and 1892, where he met and married Mary Annie Moss.
The daughter of William Moss and his wife Sarah (née Kyte), Mary was born at Bowers Allerton, Yorkshire. Between 1894 and 1901, she moved with her family to Smalley, Derbyshire, where she met and married William Beardsley Bower.
Philip worked for the Midland Bank before joining the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps. He was working as a wireless operator in a tank when it received a direct hit. Philip is remembered on the Bayeux Memorial in France.