Private Samuel Bowden
Samuel Bowden was born on 31 March 1891 at Tullycavey (Tullykevin), Greyabbey, County Down, the second of five children of farmer Robert Bowden and his wife Eliza Jane (née Francis). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Tullycavey with his widowed mother, grandfather, twin brother and three other siblings.
Bowden enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 18 November 1915 (No.1913). He trained at the regiment's reserve camp at Antrim, but was found to be suffering from epilepsy. According to a medical board report dated 2 July 1916, the illness:
... originated in June 1915 at Tully Cavey. On 23.12.15 first fit since joining the army, and when on weekend leave in May 1916 had another. Has had one since admission to hospital. Cause prior to enlistment, not due to or aggraveted by.
On 24 July 1916 Bowden was discharged, being 'no longer physically fit for war service' (paragraph 392 (xvi), King's Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'good'.
Following his discharge Bowden returned to farming at Tullycavey. On 29 March 1918 he married Jane McKee in Glastry Presbyterian Church, County Down. He died on 13 February 1966.