Gilbert (Bert) Sivell Sowrey

Gilbert (Bert) Sivell Sowery was born in 1892 in Fitzroy, Victoria, to Joseph Sowrey and Ada, nee Richelieu. 

On 2nd August 1915, he enlisted at Melbourne, Victoria. At the time, he was a single, 24-year-old plumber living at 55 Argyle St, Fitzroy, Victoria. He was allocated Regimental Number 2293 and placed in the 11th Reinforcements for the 2nd Field Company Engineers. Bertl gave his next of kin as his mother, Ada Sowery. After initial training, he embarked on HMAT A72 Beltana at Sydney, NSW, on 9th November 1915.

Bert arrived in Egypt and underwent further training. He was taken on strength with the 8th Field Company. The unit sailed to France on 17th June 1916. On 1st June 1917, he was transferred to the 1st ANZAC Cooking School for a month. He was granted a two-week furlough to the UK.

On 27th October, he was admitted to the 11th Canadian Field Amulance with a gunshot wound to his left shoulder. He was evacuated to England, where he was admitted to several hospitals and convalescent depots. According to his service records, he remained in England until the 7th February 1919, when he returned to Australia aboard HT Lancashire, with the rank of Sapper. He was discharged on 23rd May 1919, being awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal for his service during the war.

Bert married Agnes Ellen Ward on 12th July 1922 at Cudgewa, Victoria. The couple would have two children, a girl, then a boy, and live in Corryong. The marriage ended with Agnes divorcing Bert in the 30’s. Bert moved to Albury and then to Numurkah, where he worked as a plumber. Bert passed away on the 26th September 1959 at Numurkah, Victoria and was buried in Albury Pioneer Cemetery, North Albury, NSW.