Private George Cole Bowness

Born on 4 June 1886 in Alberton, Prince Edward Island - next of kin listed as B. Bowness, Alberton, Prince Edward Island - attestation form provides the following: trade as farmer, single, no current or previous military service, Presbyterian, height of 5 feet 7.2 inches, chest of 37 inches fully expanded, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair.

Joined the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion in Montreal, Quebec, on 10 April 1915 (number 411114) - taken on the strength of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in France [when?] - wounded on 4 June 1916 - killed in action on 8 October 1916 - name listed on the Vimy Memorial, France.

(Updated with a photo of Pte. Bowness's inscription on the Vimy Memorial that I took in August 2012).

(sources: Library and Archives Canada (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca), online attestation papers; Canadian War Museum, 19740281-001, Manu 58F 2 3, 207th Canadian Infantry Battalion and 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Nominal Roll; The Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa Regimental Museum, A400-0007, Master Personnel List for the 38th Canadian Infantry Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force; Commonwealth War Graves Commission, "Debt of Honour" register, www.cwgc.org)