Born in Dublin, Ireland, c.1828.
[PB: Possibly a close relative of 933 George Bowen, since both were born in Dublin, and enlisted in the 8th Hussars at much the same time?]
Enlisted at Dublin on the 4th of May 1846.
Age: 18.
Height: 5' 7".
Trade: Labourer.
Tried by a District Court-martial at Exeter on the 21st of October 1853 and sentenced to 94 days' imprisonment, but was released on the 21st of November, the remainder of the sentence being remitted.
The offence for which he was tried by a Court-martial in October of 1853 was for "Being asleep on his post."
Embarked for the Crimea aboard the H.T. "Mary Anne" on the 4th of April 1854.
Died at Scutari on the 29th of June 1855.
Entitled to the Crimean medal with clasps for Alma, Balaclava, Inkerman, and Sebastopol.
To follow up: May have participated in the Sore-back Reconnaissance.
Fanny Duberly's Journal 29th June records an exhausted soldier called "Bowen" returned early to camp on Captain Lockwood's horse:
"We had no news of Lord Cardigan's patrol until after dinner, when Bowen rode into the lines on Captain Lockwood's roan horse, who bore him feebly to the picket ropes, and then fell down. For many minutes he appeared dying of exhaustion, but eventually we revived him with brandy and water. Bowen tells us that the squadrons will not return for some days; that their fatigue has been excessive, and their hardships great. They appear to have been marching incessantly, for which hard work neither men nor horses are fit."
Laurence Crider comments (email c.2014?): "Could be either 965 Pte George Bowen or 933 Pte William Bowen. From this testimony, we can be reasonably certain someone named Bowen, of the 8th Hussars (since an officer of that regiment allowed him to use the horse), was on the reconnaissance. As neither was listed on "Outpost Duty", there is no means using this evidence, of determining which "Bowen" was being referred to."
He adds (what I think must be) that neither is listed on Outpost Duty 3rd Muster [check].