Philip Bowe 2658/7 Gatling Field Battery 10/7 Brigade Major Owens

Hi, From Ancestry UK I found a new Greatgrand Philip Bowe uncle B 1860 Enniscorthy Co. Wexford Ireland - died June 1886 TB Co. Wexford Ireland. Enlisted Liverpool Dec 1877. Rank Gunner.
As I have no military background, I wondering where do I find out more information regarding Philip and his involvement. From his papers I guess he was at Ulundi with Major Owen. All help much appreciated. Thanks Rebecca. Co. Wex.

Hi Rebecca
Philip Bowe ; Gunner , Regimental Number 2658 , 10/7 , entitled to the Medal with Clasp 1879 , is on the Forsyth Medal Roll .
Hopefully Andy see's your post , he's a Guru knowing where to find all manner of military records .
Cheers 90th

Great thanks. Don't even know where to start.

Rebecca I'm the same , have no idea how to access any of that stuff , luckily several here are very good at it , within a few hours hopefully you'll be amazed of what they may find .
90th

I did find a photo of 10 /7 with Major Owens last night. So it would be nice to think Philip was it in.
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Rebecca there's another pic of Owen with a lot less men and one of the guns , I'm sure someone will post it , I have no idea how to , and about to go to work .
90th

Hi Rebecca

Here is Philip's military record.

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Andy

Thanks Andy
I'm attempting to find out if he with Major Owen at Ulundi. Is there a list somewhere that shows who was there, or do I just assume he was from the Medal Roll.

Would you know what a Gunner actually did.

Also would you know where to find information on what he did from 1880 to 1886. His records say where he was , are these just where he was stationed or was he active.

Apologies for all the questions, but I am a totally newbie with no military background.

Many thanks Rebecca

Hi Rebecca

There are more qualified members of the forum that can answer your questions than I can.

The only thing I can add is that on the Medal Roll, Philip is listed as Serving With Battery and Major Owen is also stated as Serving with Battery. I do not know of any lists that state if Philip served with Major Owen, I could be incorrect.

Not much help I know.

Andy

Thanks Andy. I honestly haven't a clue, Ive had to google what a battery and gatling are!!. Everything is a help.

Rebecca,

Just some additional information for you.

As you can see from Gunner Bowe's service record he was serving in Mauritius prior embarking for Natal.

No. 10 Battery, 7th Brigade were Garrison Artillery whilst serving on Mauritius on receipt of the information regarding the disaster at iSandlwana.  Part of the Mauritius garrison were released from their duty to reinforce the British forces in Natal.  Two officers - Captain Allan Henry Maclean and Lieutenant (later Capt.) Edward Benjamin Evans - and fifty-two members of the battery, together with three 7-pounder cannon, embarked with one company of the 88th (The Connaught Rangers) Regiment on the steamship "Umvoti" on 12th March 1879, arriving in Durban, Natal on 26th March 1879.

Major John Fletcher Owen, arrived shortly after having sailed from Malta, where he had been involved in inquiry regarding an accident on H.M.S. "Thunderer".  Lieutenant Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle was assigned to the battery from 6th Brigade, Royal Artillery.  Owen assumed command of the battery and proceeded to organise it as a Mounted Gatling Gun Field Battery.  After obtaining horses, mule and camp equipment the battery moved up country.  It left Pietermaritzburg on 5th May 1879.  Eventually the battery were assigned the Flying Column commanded by Brigadier-General (Local rank) Henry Evelyn Wood, V.C., on 26th May 1879.

Two of the battery's Gatling Guns and their crews were assigned to remain at Fort Newdigate - an earthwork fortification on the lines of supply & communication - these were under command of Maclean & Evans.

The remaining two Gatling Guns under Owen & Rundle took part in the advance of the Flying Column.  The Gatlings came into action on 3rd July 1879 in order to cover the withdrawal of the cavalry reconnaissance over the White Mfolozi River.  The following day 4th July 1879 the two Gatling Guns took part in the Battle of Ulundi.  In his despatch of the battle, Wood recorded, 'The Gatling guns under Major Owen, R.A., and Lieut. Rundle, R.A., came into action a little in front of the square; combined with the rifle fire of the infantry they effectually checked the daring attempt of the enemy to come to close quarters.'

After the reorganisation of the forces at the end of July, the battery assigned to the column commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Mansfield Clarke, and took part in the operations of that column until its conclusion.  The battery then returned to Durban in October 1879, where the Gatling Guns, horses and equipment were returned to store prior embarking for Mauritius on 16th October 1879.

I appreciate my reply is somewhat long-winded but I hope you can see not all of the battery were present at the Battle of Ulundi.

JY

Outstanding JY
90th

As you forcast to the lady Gary, plethora of information.

Hi John, thank you for the detailed reply. I only found out about Philip in the last few months from a death cert. Is there anyway of finding out where he actually was or do we go with that he was there somewhere.

As a 20yr old Gunner what would his job have been please.

Rebecca,

He would served as a member of the gun-crew. In the case of the Gatling Gun would meant manhandling it in to position and replenishing ammunition drums.

In the case of his ordinary role as a member of a battery of Garrison Artillery, he would have served as ‘Gun Number’ on a cannon’s crew. Each ‘Gun Number’ has their own specific role in the process of loading and firing the gun. Normally the Garrison Artillery cannon were positioned in defensive prepared fortifications. I actually realised that No. 10 Battery, 7th Brigade were Garrison Artillery as there were no Drivers on the Medal Roll.

I don’t think that you will be able establish whether he remained at Fort Newdigate or fought at Ulundi during the Zulu Campaign. But don’t give up looking! There be a diary or a newspaper report where he warrants a mention.

I hope that helps?

JY

Great information thank you