James Noble Bowman was born On April 21st, 1884, in Bonnyrigg/Lasswade, which was part of the parish of Cockpen in Mid-Lothian, Scotland.

James was the second oldest child born to Thomas Bowman and Mary Noble, and there is indiciation that there were possibly another two children born to Mary Noble.

The Bowmans originated from Fife and the Nobles from Mid Lothian, and before that the Scottish Borders

Appearing on both the 1891 and 1901 Scottish censuses, James' occupation on the 1901 Census is listed as being a Parcel Lorryman, although at some stage thereafter he became a farmer, according to his attestation papers.

Originally attesting in to the 147th BN (which supplied 354 men to the 4CMR during the war), James was amongst the contingent of 103 men to be transferred to the 4CMR on April 22nd, 1917.

Mystery surrounds when he arrived in Canada, and whether he was subsequently able to marry before he died in action in October, 1917. He lies at rest in Oxford Road Cemetery, Belgium.

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Thanks and credit for the details and photograph of James Bowman go to Betty Forbes, and credit to Chris Henzler for the headstone image.