Michael BOWLER

Regimental number10/720
Date of birth12 April 1885
Place of birthPatea
ReligionRoman Catholic
OccupationPainter and paper hanger
AddressStratford Post Office
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Height5' 8"
Weight147 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs P Bowler, Stratford
Previous military serviceServed in the Stratford and Hastings Volunteers; resigned on leaving the district; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment.
Enlistment date26 August 1914
Place of enlistmentPalmerston North
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rankPrivate
Final unitWellington Infantry Regiment
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 1 April 1919
Discharge date14 June 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915.

Admitted to HS 'Franconia', 9 May 1915 (rheumatism); discharged, Cairo, dated not stated; marched into NZ Advance Depot, Alexandria, 12 May 1915.

Embarked Alexandria, 28 July 1915; rejoined unit, Anzac, 3 August 1915.

Admitted to HS 'Formosa', 2 September 1915; transferred NZ Stationary Hospital, Port Said, 21 September 1915 (influenza, rheumatism); discharged, 8 October 1915, and marched into NZ Advance Depot, the same day.

Attached to NZ Base Depot as a Storeman, Ghezirch, date not stated.

Admitted to NZ Auxiliary Hospital, Ismailia, 17 February 1916 (veneral disease).

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 April 1916.

Transferred to Battalion Band, 1 May 1916.

Admitted to No.12 Casualty Clearing Station, 29 July 1916 (influenza); transferred to No.35 General Hospital, date not stated; to England, 1 August 1916; to No.2 London General Hospital, Chelsea, 2 August 1916; to NZ Convalescent Depot, Hornchurch, 15 August 1916; to NZ Command Depot, Codford, 20 September 1916.

Admitted to No.3 NZ General Hospital, Codford, 6 January 1917; transferred to Isolation Hospital, Tidworth, 7 January 1917 (mumps); marched into NZ Convalescent Depot, Codford, 19 January 1917.

Admitted to NZ Convalescent Depot, Codford, 12 March 1917 (venereal disease); discharged, 20 March 1917.

Admitted to No.3 NZ General Hospital, Codford, 16 January 1918 (pneumonia); transferred to NZ Command Depot, Codford, 15 February 1918.

Marched out of NZ Command Depot, Codford, 9 April 1918; marched in NZ Engineers Depot, Boscombe, date not stated.

Admitted to No.1 NZ General Hospital, Brockenhurst, 14 June 1918 (tonsillitis); discharged, 3 July 1918.

Commenced return to New Zealand from Tilbury on board HT 'Arawa', 1 April 1919; disembarked New Zealand, 17 May 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 14 June 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 293 days (of which 4 years 235 days were abroad).

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 22277895