Birth

Enlistment Information

Military Service

Embarkation Information

Military Awards

Death

Biographical Notes

William Henry Stowell was born on 24 August 1881 at Esk Valley, South Canterbury, St Andrews, the son of Henry and Louisa (née Collins). His birth was registered at Waimate as William Collins, the son of Louisa. He started at Esk Valley School before his fourth birthday and transferred to St Andrews School in June 1890. On both occasions, his parent/guardian was H./Henry Stowell. At a splendid kinderspiel in aid of the prize fund, which was held just before Christmas 1895 in the St Andrews schoolroom, featured Master W. Stowell in the character of Robin Hood.

At the end of November 1917, the name of William Henry Stowell, labourer, 20 Scott Street, Sydenham, was drawn from the Second Division of the Expeditionary Force Reserve. He was listed on the Reserve Roll as having no children. William married Emily Mary Ann Childs on 23 August 1911 at the Christchurch Registry Office. Their adopted daughter (varying names given) was born on 12 May 1917 at Christchurch. He enlisted on 30 December 1917 at Christchurch and named his wife as next-of-kin – Mrs W. H. Stowell, 20 Scott Street, Sydenham, Christchurch. Private W. H. Stowell embarked with the 42nd Reinforcements, departing for London, England, per the “Tofua” on 1 August 1918.

A hospital and progress report published in December 1918 reported the case of W. H. Stowell, 80298, Sydenham, as a not severe one. “Mrs W. H. Stowell, of 83, Kingsley Street, Sydenham, has received cable advice that her husband, Rifleman W. H. Stowell, who left New Zealand with the Forty-second Reinforcement, has been admitted to hospital suffering from valvular disease of the heart and bronchitis.” The “Zealandic” (draft 217) was due at Wellington about 27 February 1919. Among the returnees was W. H. Stowell, 83 Kingsley Street, Sydenham. “News has been received by Mrs W. H. Stowell, of 83, Kingsley Street, Sydenham, that Rifleman W. H. Stowell is returning to New Zealand by the Zealandic, which is due at Wellington by the end of the month.” He was discharged on 29 March 1919 and received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

William Henry Stowell died on 30 November 1958 at Christchurch, aged 77 years. He was survived by Emily and a second adopted daughter. His older adopted daughter had died in June 1957 at the age of 40, leaving a husband and five children. Both William and Emily, who died in 1960, were cremated at the Canterbury Crematorium. His service number is inscribed on their plaque in the Canterbury Memorial Gardens. His mother died in 1935 and was buried at Timaru. It appears that his father (Henry Stowell) had returned to his native England many years before. His brother Arthur Percy Stowell (known as Percy) lost his life in France, on 6 June 1917. Another brother, Frederick Charles Stowell, also served in World War One. His older brother, Alfred Henry (Collins) Stowell, was listed on the Reserve Rolls, and another, Henry James (Collins) Stowell, was drawn in the sixth ballot. Two nephews died in World War Two - James Hampton Stowell on 5 May 1943 in Germany, and Frederick George Stowell, who served with the RNZAF in World War Two, was killed in action over Hungary on 8 August 1944.

Sources

Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph Database [07 September 2022]; Timaru Herald, 24 December 1895, Lyttelton Times, 4 December 1917, 14 & 20 February 1919, Star, 4 December 1917, 18 December 1918, Evening Post, 18 December 1918, Press, 1 & 2 December 1958, 3 & 4 March 1960 (Papers Past) [08 September 2022]; School Admission records (South Canterbury & Waimate branches NZSG) [07 September 2022]; NZ BDM Indexes (Department of Internal Affairs) [07 September 2022]; canterbury Crematorium plaque image (Find A Grave) [08 September 2022]

External Links

• Auckland War Memorial Museum Cenotaph record
• Military personnel file

Related Documents

No documents available. 

Researched and Written by

Teresa Scott, SC Genealogy Society

Currently Assigned to

Not assigned.