LIVES OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE
The E.J. Boys Archive

Last amended 5.6.11, 28.4.14.

IN PROGRESS — NOT FOR PUBLICATION

1039, Private John BOW / BOWE — 17th Lancers

Birth & early life

Born at Killkenny, Ireland c.1831.

Enlistment

Enlisted at Newbridge on the 19th of July 1850.

Age: 19.

Height: 5' 8.

Trade: Labourer.

Appearance: Fair complexion. Brown hair.

Height: 5' 8.

Service

Shown as in the "General Hospital" at Varna during July and August, and was left on board ship, sick, when the regiment landed in the Crimea on the 17th of September 1854.

[PB: When did he return to the regiment?]

Severely wounded-in-action at Balaclava and again sent to Scutari on the 26th of October 1854.

The Sebastopol clasp roll wrongly shows him as having "Died on the 5th of January 1855." He is also shown as such in the "London Gazette" casualty lists.

Invalided to England aboard the "Alps" on the 17th of February 1855. The Chatham muster roll shows him as being sent "On furlo to Kilkenny, Ireland, pending discharge" on the 30th of June 1855.

Discharge & pension

Discharged to Out-pension from Chatham Invalid Depot on the 4th of July 1855, "From persistent headaches and vertigo after fracture of the "os frontis" by a fragment of shell at Balaclava."

Served 4 years 275 days. In Turkey and the Crimea. 10 months.

Conduct and character: "a good soldier". In possession of one Good Conduct badge.

Was awarded a pension of 10d. per day on discharge, but this was increased to 1/3d. per day from the 14th of January 1868.

Medals

Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Balaclava and Sebastopol, and the Turkish medal.

Commemorations

Life after service

Death & burial

Died in the Waterford Pension District of Ireland on the 3rd of August 1873.

His death certificate shows that he died at Cove, Waterford, Ireland, from "Phthisis, 8 months", aged 41 years. He was described as "Married" and "an Army Pensioner". He was named as John Bowe. His wife, Mary Ann Bowe (who had to make her mark) was present at, and the informant of, his death. (There is a copy of his death certificate in the "Certificates" file.)

Further information

Dominic Winter Auctions, South Cerney, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, 17 May 2018 10:00 BST to 18 May 2018 10:00 BST

[PB, 26 April 2018: A Turkish Crimea Medal to Private John Bow, 17th Lancers was announced for auction [3 photographs of the medal].

(Click on images to enlarge)

CHARGERS MEDAL. A TURKISH CRIMEA MEDAL TO PRIVATE JOHN BOW, 17TH LANCERS.

Chargers Medal.

A Turkish Crimea Medal to Private John Bow, 17th Lancers who was wounded during the Charge of the Light Brigade on 25 October 1854.

Turkish Crimea, British Issue, pierced with silver ring for suspension (*1039*John*Bow*H*M* 17th *Lancers*), neatly impressed in small serif capitals dispersed with stars, very fine, sold with copied research.

1039 Private John Bow was born in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1832 and served with 17th Lancers during the Crimean War and confirmed as a charger. Bow was mistakenly shown on the casualty roll as killed, however he was wounded and sent to Scutari Hospital on 26 October 1854 and subsequently invalided on 16 February 1855.

Bow is entitled to a Crimean War Medal with two clasps, Balaklava and Sebastopol.

Although this medal seems to be entirely as issued, a Crimean War pair to the same recipient was sold at Bonham's on 12 March 2014 (Lot 251). However, the Turkish Crimea medal was a Sardinian Issue and it may well be the case that a mistake was made at the time of issue and there are two medals, certainly worthy of further research.

[Source: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/dominic-winter-book-auctions/catalogue-id-srdom10107/lot-f84be0e2-7b63-450a-99a6-a8cd00cb7eab (accessed 26.4.2018).]

Bonham's, 12 March 2014 (Lot 251)

Pair to Private J.Bow, 17th Lancers.

(Click on image to enlarge)

Crimea 1854-56, two bars, Balaklava, Sebastopol, engraved (Pte John Bow 17th Lancers); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, fitted with Crimea type replacement suspension. The lugs removed off both bars and not attached, minor contact marks, very fine. (2)

FOOTNOTES

Private John Bow enlisted in 1850. He was wounded in the Charge of the Light Brigade on the 25th October 1854, to Scutari 26th October 1854. Invalided to England on the 16th February 1855.

Ex Spink 1998.

[Source: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21704/lot/251/ (accessed 26.4.2018).]