Lance Corporal Alfred Stanley Bowers Seaforth Highlanders

Introduction

Alfred Bowers died on the 11^th of July 1918, aged 26.

Born in Goole in 1892, Alfred Stanley Bowers was the son of George T Bowers originally of West Halton, a Blacksmith, and his wife Martha of Burton Stather.

It is unclear where in Burton upon Stather they actually lived but the 1901 Census records a 9 year old Alfred Stanley with two older siblings Kate and Thomas W. The cottage the family were living in was neighboured by others with the resident's occupations listed as Master Mariner, Sailor, Iron Foundry Worker, Iron Foundry Apprentice, Marine Fullers Apprentice and the like so it would be fairly safe I think to assume that the family lived in the Stather.

It's highly likely that his father George was working at the site of the shipyard although Wray's had closed by this time (in 1892). Neighbours with the name Escreet and Morfin will ring bells for those who have taken a keen interest in the history of the shipyard at Burton Stather and they will know that by 1901 the site was being used as an iron and brass foundry. Run by William Myers Escreet, a Marine Engineer who specialised in making engines and boilers.

Further information for those interested in the Burton Stather Shipyard is contained within a fine book written by Rodney Clapson A Lincolnshire Shipyard - Burton upon Stather, also please take a look at our Shipping page which contains a database and further research by Sam Ablott into ships built at Burton Stather.