Maurice Crosby Warden Bowden
Stephen LearmonthMaurice was born in 1889 at Tintaldra, Victoria. He was the youngest of six children of Sydenham and Frances (Fanny) Anne (nee Graves) Bowden. Tragedy struck the family when Sydenham, a postmaster and customs official at Tintaldra, took his own life on February 4 1890, just one year after Maurice’s birth. Two months later, one of Maurice’s older brothers, Ivo, aged 8, passed away at their grandfather's home at Hawksburn, South Yarra. In 1892, Fanny married Alfred William Curlewis at Hawksburn. They would have one son, Kenneth, who would be killed in action at Gallipoli on August 8 1915.
In 1914, Maurice had trained to become an electrician. He and Hester, his next eldest sister, who was working as a governess, were living at 20 Bailey Avenue in Malvern.
Maurice enlisted on February 1 1916. His skills as an electrical engineer made him a perfect catch for the young Australian Flying Corps. He was allotted the Service Number 452 and allocated to the 2nd Reinforcements for the 1st Australian Flying Squadron.
He embarked on the RMS Malwa on July 25 1916, disembarking at Suez one month later. He proceeded to Cairo by rail and was taken on strength with the Australian Flying Corps at Heliopolis. One week later, he arrived at No. 67 (Australian) Squadron RFC as a Private, 1st Class Aeromechanic. In September 1916, the British began referring to No. 1 Squadron AFC as No. 67 (Australian) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps.
The squadron served in Egypt, Palestine and Syria, flying aircraft such as the Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, the Martinsyde G.100, the R.E.8, the B.E.12A and Bristol Fighters. Its role was to provide aerial support for the Australian Light Horse and its campaigns, including long-range photographic reconnaissance. As an electrical engineer, Maurice’s job was to look after any electrical components of the aircraft and the squadron’s vehicles.
On March 4 1919, he embarked on the HT Port Sydney and arrived in Australia on April 17. Maurice received his discharge on May 22 1919. For his service during the war, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
After returning from overseas, Maurice moved back in with his sister on Bailey Avenue in Malvern. The two would share the house up until Maurice’s death. He passed away on September 30 1967, at Parhan, Victoria and was buried at Springvale Botanical Cemetery. Hester, the last living member of her family, died in 1973, six years later.
