THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT

BOWERS William George

12/3257, Lance Corporal, 3rd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, WW1

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 3 September 1918, p10376

Hebuterne, 27 March 1918.  For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He pushed forward alone to locate two enemy wounded in a sap.  He came across a party of twelve of the enemy.  He captured two and dispersed the remainder.  His single-handed performance was a great example to his men

Military Medal

Gazetted 2 April 1918, p4023

For cool and courageous conduct in the Judge Sub-Sector, northeast of Polygon Wood Sector, on 16th January 1918.  Heavy rain had flooded the trenches badly and Lance Corporal W.G Bowers, in broad daylight, walked into ‘No Man’s Land’ in full view of the enemy positions 150 yards distant, and worked for an hour and a half digging a drain back to our line.  His work has been consistently excellent.

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Military Medal

1914-15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

NOTES

Born 24 January 1895, Christchurch, New Zealand

Died 24 March 1966, Auckland, New Zealand

Buried Pukekohe Cemetery, Auckland [Returned Services Area, Plot, Plot 113]