A rededication service for Private Robert Oliver Bowness, of 4th Australian Pioneers, took place at Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery on Wednesday 4th July 2018.  Private Robert Bowness was killed in action on 5th July 1918 but unfortunately his identity was lost. A case submitted in 2015 by the Fallen Diggers was successful and it's great to say Pte Bowness will now have a named headstone.

A grocer before enlisting in March 1916, Pte Bowness left Australia for England with the 4th Reinforcements in August 1916. Arriving in France for service on the Western Front in January 1917, Pte Bowness was killed by German artillery fire whilst digging a support trench at Hamel on 5 July 1918. He was buried nearby, but the cross marking his grave was lost, and subsequently has no known grave.

Private BOWNESS, ROBERT OLIVER - Service Number 2383 

Son of Edward Harrison Bowness and Henrietta E. Bowness, of Galloways Hill, Brisbane, Queensland.

Died 05/07/1918  Aged 22

4th  Australian Pioneers

Plot 3. B. 10. Villers Bretoneux

Military Records