Name

Robert Gowdy.

Description

Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Robert Gowdy.

Life Story

Name: Robert Gowdy.

Service Number: 9276.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 2nd Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: County Down.

Died: 14th October 1914.

Address: 168 Agnes Street, Belfast

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Robert Gowdy, son of Robert and Elizabeth Gowdy, lived at 168 Agnes Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Roberts family living at 8 Silvio Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

The 1911 Ireland Census has Roberts family living at 14 Agnes Street, Shankill Road, Belfast

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Attestation Papers show having been considered fit for duty that Robert enlisted into the 3rd Royal Irish Rifles Special Reserves on the 26th August 1908, serving 184 days.

Robert then joined the 2nd Royal Irish Rifles on the 26th February 1909.

Service records show that Robert had made Lance Corporal, however they then state that he lost his stripe on the 19th July 1913.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 13th August 1914.

Robert was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action near Le Cateau France on the 14th October 1914.

A Casualty Form within his Service Papers shows what must be a reply by the British Red Cross Society concerning Roberts place of burial, its states: Buried 14th October 1914 Bourg Delville, Proceeding through the village to the Richebourg La Gourge road and turning to the right, a few yards down this road and on the right hand side, by the side of a small white cottage.

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A local newspaper states.

BELFAST MAN KILLED IN ACTION

Yesterday Mr Robert Gowdy, 168 Agnes Street, received the sad news that his son, Private Robert Gowdy, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, had been killed in action near Le Cateau, France on the 14th October. Private Gowdy who was in his 22nd year, had served 6 years in the Rifles, and was with the 2nd battalion at Tedworth when the war broke out. He accompanied the 2nd battalion to the front, and was with it in the advance to Mons, the retirement from that place to the Marne, and the heavy fighting in the valleys of the Aisne

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A letter dated the 11th of December from his father John asks for his Effects, Small Book, Identification Card and anything else he have had. It finishes with: I am Sir, your obedient servant, R J Gowdy.

Roberts Soldiers Effects were left to his father Robert John.

A Pension Application Form shows his mother Elizabeth as claimant.

Dependant Pension Application Forms show his mother as claimant also.

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See his brother also: 3373 Private Ernest Gowdy Royal Irish Rifle

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Robert received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star

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He is Remembered at Le Touret Memorial, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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