| Bowden | Walter | | Surgeon | BOWDEN, WALTER, Surgeon, Royal Navy, was born in London, 10 June 1859, son of William Bowden, of 45 Hilldrop Crescent, Camden Road, London. He was educated at University College Hospital, London (MRCS, England, and LRCP, London, 1886); entered the Royal Naval Medical Service in 1887; became Staff Surgeon in 1899; served during operations against Fodey Silah on the Gambia in 1894, in medical charge; was present at the destruction of Busimballa, action of Sabages, and with the Naval Brigade at the bombardment of Gunpur in 1894. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order ("London Gazette, 26 May 1894]: "Walter Bowden, Surgeon, Royal Navy. In recognition of services against Fodey Silah, in Combo, on the Gambia". The Insignia were sent to the Admiralty, and presented 6 July 1894; he also received the General African Medal and Gambia Clasp, the South African Medal, 1901-2, and the Somaliland Medal. He married Alithea M, daughter of J Ogilvie, JP, of Queenstown, Ireland, and they had two sons and two daughters. He became Staff Surgeon in 1900, and retired in 1908 as Deputy Inspector-General. The following are fuller details of his war services: Whilst Surgeon of HMS Raleigh he served in the Naval Brigade at Bathurst, on the River Gambia, West Coast of Africa, in February 1894, in co-operation with two companies of the 1st West India Regiment, for the punishment of Fodey Silah, a rebellious slave-raiding chief; was in medical charge of the Royal Marines: volunteered to take charge of the ammunition; especially recommended and mentioned in Despatches; was present in medical charge at the bombardment and occupation of Gunjur in 1894; he was appointed to the Distinguished Service Order, and granted a Medal with clasp. He was the first Naval Medical Officer to receive the distinction of Companionship of the DSO. He served in HMS Naiad during the Boer War and Somaliland Expedition, 1901 to 1904.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Navy |
