Leading Stoker William Bowater was the eldest son of William and Sophia Bowater, of No. 2, Waterloo Place, Dudley. He joined the Navy on 30th July 1907 on a 5-yr engagement with a Reserve commitment for 7 years thereafter; he subsequently amended this to serve a full 12-yr engagement.
He spent the Great War aboard the battleship HMS Neptune until 25th February 1918 when he was transferred to the shore establishment HMS Victory II. This was doubtless due to his failing health, as he was discharged from the Navy on 23rd April 1918. Death followed at home in Dudley shortly afterwards on 10th August 1918, aged 28. His Death Certificate states his death was due to “Mitral & Aortic Regurgitation”, and he is buried in Dudley Borough Cemetery. His Personal Inscription reads “Loved by all”.
A bachelor, his surviving service papers reveal that he had passed the Educational Test for promotion to Petty Officer shortly before his discharge. He is remembered on Dudley's civic war memorial in Priory St. (This is an extract from the book “Dudley’s 1914-1918 war memorial and the men commemorated” by J. B. E. Hale. The book is published by Amazon, and there is also a Kindle version.)
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