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John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 28/3/2023, 4:54 pm

I am looking for any information about when my great grandfather John Bowden (b. 05/04/1871) died. He was on the 1939 register living in Tiverton and was recently widowed as his wife Ellen died 16/05/1939. Thanks in advance.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Joan Smith on 29/3/2023, 10:15 am, in reply to "John Bowden"

Could he be the John Bowden who's death is registered in Bideford reg district in the March quarter od 1944 aged 73

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 29/3/2023, 5:22 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Thank you Joan. It is certainly possible, but I had previously discounted it due to a complete lack of any other evidence or any known connection to Bideford. Also he would have been aged 72 in Jan-Mar 1944 albeit nearly 73.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Judith on 30/3/2023, 12:37 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

The person who registered it could have done so in an office near where they lived. Were there any children? where were they living? freebmd site has lots of John Bowden names, with ages, you will need to look for potential candidates, and work from there. where were they living in 1939? if you click on the regn district on freebmd it will tell you which area it covers.
Who registered the wifes death? might not have been him, perhaps a son/daughter? with an address?
Hope this helps.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by JUdith on 30/3/2023, 1:39 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Another thought, you could contact Tiverton cemetery to confirm whether the wife was buried there, as you have the date of death for her, they would know if she was, and would probably be able to tell you who else buried with her.
If she was not buried in Tiverton, then you need the death cert to see where she died, and work from there, to other parishes.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 30/3/2023, 9:47 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Thanks Judith. His wife was indeed buried at Tiverton Cemetery according to her obituary in the Tiverton Gazette and I reckon he would have been too probably at some point during WW2. For some reason there is nothing on FreeBMD that matches other than possibly this one in Bideford, but I am skeptical. I will try and contact Tiverton Cemetery.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Judith on 1/4/2023, 12:08 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Looking at Births for Tiverton after their marriage (1894?), there are lots!! I am guessing that he went to live with his daughter, that would be first choice, so if you can sort her out, you might find a bit more. Find children on 1939, and it might confirm the Bideford one. Wherever he went to live it is very likely he would be buried at Tiverton with her.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 3/4/2023, 3:47 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Thanks again Judith. Of their 4 children one was killed in WW1, two remained in Tiverton all their lives and the youngest, who I met a few times, moved to Bath around 1930. I am waiting to hear back from Tiverton Cemetery.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 4/4/2023, 4:45 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

I am pleased to report Tiverton Cemetery have confirmed he was interred in Feb 1944 aged 72.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Judith on 8/4/2023, 7:09 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

so glad to hear that you have confirmation. Its nice to dot the i's and cross the t's!

Re: John Bowden

Posted by JUdith on 8/4/2023, 7:15 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Had a quick look at the GRO, looks as if the person registering the death lived in Cardiff, as the age at death ties up with regn there, rather than the Bideford one!!.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Nick Bowden on 9/4/2023, 12:22 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Thanks Judith. That may be the only one that matches but there were unrelated (as far as I know) Bowden's in Cardiff at that time that make it very unlikely.
I do have a brick wall two generations back from him about which I shall separately enquire.

Re: John Bowden

Posted by Judith on 9/4/2023, 2:55 pm, in reply to "Re: John Bowden"

Not necessarily a Bowden, female would have changed her surname on marriage.
Keep at it, we will try and help when you are on your next search.

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