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Hint: This site is intended as a search aid - not a definitive source. It is essentially an index to documents that seem to relate to this person plus a very brief precis of relevant elements. Sources often conflict and I also flag things with a ? when I am unsure. So if the information below is important to you, then please check the original sources to see what else they contain (and in case I have inadvertantly introduced transcription and/or precising errors). There can be additional information that was not included in the database for both space and copyright reasons.

 

Surname		FOWLES
Given Name(s) or Initial(s)		John Kentwell
Regimental Number
Rank		Lieutenant
Unit Name		3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry
State		Qld
Extracts and Comments (from Sources as shown)		Murray: local Captain Rhodesia Field Force, Queen's South Africa medal and 5 clasps (Rhod.). Kaplan1: Captain. Wallace2: Eland's R. URL1: WW1 AIF Major VD Sea Transport Service. B5172: Gatton Qld. URL2: departed Cape Town aboard 'Morayshire' 9.5.1901 for Aust. J1795: born 1865. URL3: WW1 AIF Major VD Transport Officer 1915 (voyage only). URL5: born in 1865 in Fortitude Valley Brisbane. URL6: The Gattonites are the strongest Squadron in camp [c4.1903], and are-well horsed, while their work is spoken of as being most creditable. This is not to be wondered at either, when it is known that their commanding-officer, his two subalterns, and the instructor have each had varied experiences during the recent war in South Africa. Indeed, Captain FOWLES was in that famous "tight corner" with the third contingent at Elands River, where the Queenslanders were under an extremely hot fire for several days. URL7: WELCOME TO FIFTH CONTINGENTERS AT GATTON. The members of the fifth contingent who belong to the Lockyer and who recently returned from the seat of the war in South Africa were accorded a most enthusiastic welcome by the members of the Gatton Mounted Infantry corps and the people of Gatton last Friday night [16.5.1902]. The reception, concert, and social took place in the drill hall, and proved to be one of the most brilliant functions held there for some time. The decorations of the building had been carried out in a most magnificent scale under the supervision of the energetic secretary, Sergeant-Major W LYONS. The effect produced by the profusion of greenery and hunting was splendid. Mr. LYONS received valuable aid in this and other duties in connection with the reception from Mesdames J SKINNER, S HALLAS and ROBERSON, and Misses SKINNER. NEALE, SMITH (two), Sergeant-Major E CHADWICK, Corporal HALLAS, and Messrs. I JAMES, J SKINNER, J JORDAN, H MARLOW, A SMITH, S CISART and I DONALD. A wide space had been left up the centre of the hall, and here the members of E company, QMI, were drawn up and formed a guard of honour for the military guests. Past their ranks the returned contingenters were conducted to the platform, and there formally introduced to the Chairman, Mr. R. JAMES, by Captain JK FOWLES of the local company. The Chairman, in heartily welcoming the guests, also read apologies from Major TOLL, Captain DODDS, and other officers of the "Fighting Fifth" who had been invited by the committee, but were unavoidably absent. Lieutenant HUNTER had also been suddenly called to Brisbane and thus prevented from being present. The Chairman said that he was sure that all Gatton people were pleased to be present to welcome back the boys of the fifth. They had had a hard time in South Africa with incessant riding and fighting, and so mobile had been their movements under Major PLUMER that they had been afforded opportunities of visiting places where the great historical battles had occurred. There were some who honestly thought that this war was unjust, but did they only look into the matter they would soon discover that Britain was not fighting for the Transvaal, but for something far more important. The war was forced upon Britain, and the Boers knew for years that it was inevitable. Hence their preparedness. Had the war occurred a few years later, probably they would have succeeded in driving all who were not Dutch out of the continent. However, much good had been wrought by the war, for it had not only brought out the best qualities of British soldiers from all parts of the world but had shown the world that Australia was an integral part of the British Empire. Mr. A HUNTER, who, with Mrs. HUNTER, had been specially invited, responded on behalf of his son, Lieutenant W HUNTER. He (the speaker) felt very proud indeed of the lad who had just returned from the war and who had done their duty so well. He also felt extremely proud of the welcome that attended their home-coming. It was just one of those wholesome hearty welcomes which did credit to the people of Gatton, yet was one of their leading characteristics. None of the colonial soldiers appeared to regret striking a blow for the dear old land. Those foreign powers who thought that Australia would be glad to cut the painter from the mother country had had their eyes opened. The lads had made a name for them selves and for Australia that would live in history. He (Mr. HUNTER) would in conclusion thank the committee for the courtesy extended to Mrs. HUNTER and himself. Sergeant ROCKEBY was called upon to speak, and returned thanks for the kind welcome accorded himself and comrades. Being a stranger to Gatton he appreciated the welcome all the more. They had done their best in South Africa, and though they had participated in severe engagements and suffered heavy losses, few amongst them but would be quite prepared to return if necessary. Trooper ROBERTS said he was pleased to be home in Gatton again. He too felt flattered at the kind reception accorded himself and comrades. It certainly made the home coming all the sweeter to know that their services were appreciated. They had been through some hard times in South Africa, but none of them regretted their experiences. Trooper SHERMAN, of the fourth contingent, was also called upon to speak. Captain FOWLES said he had been requested by the members of E company to welcome back their old comrades who had been serving their country in South Africa. Lieutenant HS BROWN had wired him an apology for non-attendance, and he also regretted the absence of Lieutenant HUNTER. As the latter had also been an officer in Gatton company, he (Captain FOWLES) had felt curious to know how he had conducted himself at the war. The reports he got from Major TOLL and other officers were most gratifying, for one and all were most ungrudging in the manner in which they eulogised Lieutenant HUNTER, who had proved himself to be a good officer and a brave and daring soldier throughout. Gatton should feel proud of its little company of QMI for, although the full full roll of the corps only amounted to 53, it had supplied no less than 2 officers and 53 rank and file for service in South Africa; while many others unattached to the company had gone from the Lockyer district. Blended with the great joy of welcoming back our brave laddies, however, was the deep pang of regret for those who had left their bones in South Africa. In all all of the contingents men were lost, and were resting, either in the hospital grounds or under the veldt. The fifth had suffered most, having sustained 122 casualties and lost 37 men trough battle or sickness. Mr. T WILSON Tarampa Divisional Board)extended a hearty welcome on behalf of the citizens of Gatton and district. All felt they had good reason to be proud of the Queensland soldiers. When it was announced that they were returning he (Mr. WILSON) had taken a trip down the river and was entertained with others on the troopship. There he had learned from the officers that the conduct of the men had been most exemplary, both while on active service and on the voyages. Many of the brave fellows seemed quite prepared to return to the war. Sergeant Major LYONS said he had prepared a capital speech, but had been warned by a deputation of ladies that it was getting late and a social was to follow. He would content himself with heartily endorsing the sentiments expressed by previous speakers. Mr. Sid. COSSART welcomed the soldiers back on behalf of the Gatton Football Club members. ...
Source References		Murray: Official Records of the Australian Contingents etc. page(s) 463 466 Kaplan1: Medal Roll for the QSA with Bar Relief of Mafeking 83 Wallace2: The Circumstances Surrounding the Seige of Elands River Post page(s) 52 B5172: National Archives of Australia series B5172 J1795: National Archives of Australia series J1795 B2455: National Archives of Australia series B2455 QldTIps.: Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald & General Advertiser newspaper date(s) 17.5.1902 & 14.4.1903
External Link URL1		www.awm.gov.au/database/133/page.asp?Folder=18&Page=25&Surname=fowles
External Link URL2		www.angloboerwar.com/Other/shipping/190105.htm
External Link URL3		naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/imagine.asp?B=4019485&I=1&SE=1
External Link URL4		www.archives.qld.gov.au/Researchers/CollectionsDownloads/Documents/boer_war_index_id18351.pdf
External Link URL5		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18540263
External Link URL6		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article125273462
External Link URL7		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122547767

Please email me if you can contribute any other relevant information about this person (eg any other military service, where in Australia they came from or when/where they died). Also, if you find an external link broken.


Apology: For some time now it has been difficult to keep up with the newly available sources (especially the Trove newspaper site) plus the flow of contributions and queries. So I have been forced to prioritise maintenance and data entry over replying to correspondence. Nevertheless, your contributions are being added to the database and acknowledged on the contributions page and, although my replies are many months behind, I will attempt to get to them more often.

 

Colin Roe
Canberra

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