M.C. London Gazette 9.1.1918 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed the greatest dash and very high powers of leadership in commanding the leading waves of an attack, and, although three times counter-attacked, he inflicted severe casualties on the enemy, capturing and consolidating his line, and setting throughout a splendid example of courage and disregard of danger'.

Captain William Henry Bowmer, M.C., a native of Derbyshire, was born in November 1889 and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers in November 1914. Posted to the 18th Battalion, he remained employed on home duties as a Private until being appointed to a Commission in the Sherwood Foresters in May 1915. Not entering the French Theatre of War until the following year, with the 1st Battalion, Bowmer must have enacted his M.C.-winning deeds before August 1917, for in that month he was taken ill while home on leave, his ailment being the result of 'strain of active service'. He finished the War with the 3rd Battalion back out in France and was finally released in April 1919.