Description
Afghanistan Medal, 4 bars, Kabul to Kandahar Star, 1627 Pte George Bowles, 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Saw much service, and spent 3 years in Canada.
Afghanistan Medal Officially engraved: “1627 Pte G. Bowles 72nd Highrs”
Kabul to Kandahar Star officially embossed on reverse: “1672 Private Geo. Bowles. 72nd Highlanders”
Some pitting as usual to Afghanistan Medal, naming still nice and clear.
A scarce complete matching pair.
George Bowles first attested for service on 6th December 1864, and only left after completing a full 21 years of service, on 15th December 1885. No chance of a Good Conduct however due to his poor conduct and various imprisonment.
He was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, circa 1845.
First attested for service, whilst living in Portsea, Hants, with the 22nd Regiment of Foot, to claim a bounty of £1 and a free kit.
He later transferred over to the 72nd Highlanders on 16th July 1870, with whom he served for the next 15 years.
Saw the following service:
Home, 16th December 1864 – 15th April 1866, started with the 1st 22nd Cheshire Regt.
New Brunswick Canada, 16th April 1866 – 28th May 1869, 22nd Stationed in Nova Scotia and Quebec from 1866-9.
Home, 29th May 1869 – 20th Feb 1871. During this time transferred to 72nd.
East Indies, 21st Feb 1871 – 1st August 1882.
Egypt, 2nd Aug 1882 – 1st Novr 1882.
Home, 2nd Nov 1882 – 23rd November 1885.
Campaigns fought: “Afghanistan 1878 79 80, Egypt 1882”
Medals earned: “Afghan Medal, Clasps Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar
Bronze Star for March to Kandahar (this medal)
Egyptian Medal clasp Tel El Kebir
Khedive’s Star”
Understandably, after years away from home, barely a week after arriving back in England, he was taken into hospital for 8 days at Parkhurst from 11th December 1882, having been wounded, it looks to have been a drunken mishap, his hospital report entry notes: “Wounded when Drunk, Accidental”
After his discharge, it looks like he returned home to Berkshire.
The 1891 Census lists a 46 year old George Bowles, born 1845, in Maidenhead, Berkshire working as a “China and Glass Dealer”.
He lived in New Windsor, Berkshire with his wife Charlotte Bowles (Born 1862) who he married during late 1885.
A bit of a departure from a career soldier, but certainly appears to be him, as he was notably missing from the earlier Censuses due to being overseas, and his papers make no mention of a previous marriage whilst in the Army.
He was discharged at Aldershot on 23rd November 1885, and the marriage occurred in New Windsor, on 27th December 1885.
