Description
World War 1 British War and Victory Medal Pair, in box of issue, 516198 Cpl J.S. Bowie, 14th Bn London Regiment and RFC Flight Cadet.
Officially impressed: “516198 Cpl. J.S. Bowie. 14-Lond. R.”
Medals unworn with box of issue (flattened).
James Stachan Bowie first entered the Royal Flying Corps as a prospective Flight Officer in late 1917 (according to RAF Officer Service Records), after some training in November and December, he was assessed by a medical board on 14th Jan 1918 as “Unfit as Flying Officer in capacity, Fit for General Service.”
Prior to the war, as he was only young he appears to have been working as an Assistant Postman in Edinburgh during 1916, it looks like he was waiting to turn 18 to enlist.
Following this a memo in his RAF papers notes: “Sent to 14th (London Scottish) London Regt.”
His medal award roll for the pair recalls his unusual service as:
609792 Sapper James S. Bowie, Royal Engineers
110178, Royal Flying Corps
206892, Gordon Highlanders,
516198, Corporal ,London Regiment
His RAF Airmen records have the following receipt for attestation,
“His transfer on the 5/2/1918 to the Gordon Highlanders for posting to the 14th Battalion (London Scottish) London Regiment (T.F.) at Infantry rate of pay. At Station: Perth, dated 16th Feb 1918”
James Strachan Bowie was born in 1899, and looks to be the James S. Bowie, born during 1899 in Clackammanshire, Scotland, and died in Bognor Regis, Sussex during 1988.
