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Old 17-10-2015, 02:43 PM
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This is the soldier buried in the solitary war grave in Felton St Michael. (headstone photo further above - heavens - was that really five years ago )


Felton.
Funeral of Private Thomas Bowey.

It is with deep regret we have to record another death from our parish, due to the war. In the month of May 1911, Private Thomas Bowey left his home at West Thirston to seek employment in Canada. 2 years ago, just about this time he paid a visit to his native village, and all his friends are pleased to see him looking so well. When the war broke out he enlisted in C Company of the Canadian 9th Battalion, and reached England on September 20th last. He had suffered from pleurisy sometime before sailing, but to outward appearance he was quite recovered. 3 weeks ago he was attacked by typhoid, which might have been overcome; but, unfortunately, pneumonia intervened, and his death took place in the Military Hospital, Shorncliffe, on the 20th, just a couple of hours before his sister arrived there. He was 31 years of age. His remains were sent home, being accorded full military honours on their passage to the railway station. The body arrived at Felton on Wednesday in charge of Sergeant Andrews and Privates Lewis and Dobson, who had been sent from camp as representatives of the Battalion. The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon in the Churchyard. A firing party of 12, with bugler and 6 underbearers, were in attendance from Alnwick. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and bore deceased cap and belt. A very large number of mourners accompanied, the villagers showing every mark of respect. Arriving at the Church "The Dead March" was played on the organ. The 39th Psalm was chanted by the Choir. After the lesson had been read by the vicar, hymn 184, "Rock of Ages Cleft for Me" was sung. The "Nunc Dimittis" was chanted as the procession left the Church. The service at the graveside concluded, three volleys were fired by soldiers, and the bugler sounded the Last Post. (AG, Dec 4 1915)
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