Four: Sergeant R. Bower, Gordon Highlanders, who was severely wounded by gun shot at La Bassee on 12 April 1918, and died as a result on 26 June 1919

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (9050 Pte. R. Bower. Gordon Highrs:); British War and Victory Medals (4980 Pte. R. Bower. Gordons.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (177 L.Sjt: R. Bowie [sic]. 6/Gordon Hdrs.) about extremely fine (4) £200-£240

Robert Bower was born in Aberdeen in 1881 and attested there for the Gordon Highlanders on 18 February 1902, having previously served as a Drummer Boy in the Volunteers. He served with the Gordon Highlanders in South Africa during the Boer War from 3 February to 12 July 1902, and was discharged on 14 July 1902, after 147 days’ service. Reverting to the Volunteers, and later Territorial Force, he was advanced Sergeant in the 6th Battalion (Banff), and was awarded the Territorial Force Long Service Medal.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Bower re-enlisted in the Gordon Highlanders on 5 January 1915, and served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 November 1916. He was wounded by gun shot to the right leg at La Bassee on 12 April 1918, and after being treated at No. 7 Canadian General Hospital at Etaples was repatriated to the U.K. Discharged on 7 February 1919, he died of endocarditis, as a result of military service and wounds, at Craigleith Military Hospital, Edinburgh, on 26 June 1919.

Sold with seven period postcard photographs, including one sent by the recipient; and copied research.