Benjamin Bowman
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Research by Marjorie Gregson
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Staghound and Hind by Richard Ansdell
Donated by Benjamin Bowman
Benjamin Bowman was born in Fleetwood in 1860 to James Bowman, a tailor, and his wife, Margaret. In 1884 he married Clara Emily Schofield (1863-1932) at Victoria Street Congregational Church and they had nine children.
Their eldest son, Leonard, was killed in action in WW1. Wilfred Henry Bowman, who donated the painting in memory of his father, also served in WW1. He was in the London Regiment, 28th Battalion, known as the Artists Rifles. It was formed in 1860 and was originally composed of painters, sculptors, architects, actors and other members of artistic occupations.
Benjamin worked first as an errand boy and later in the printing works of the 'Fleetwood Chronicle'. The business moved to Blackpool, where the 'Blackpool Herald' and the 'Chronicle' were both produced. There he learnt his craft as a printer.
After a period in Bradford he returned to be the foreman of the 'Blackpool Times', earning £2 a week, later accepting a 10 shilling cut to help the then struggling paper. Finally, he became managing director, a position he held until 1920.
Benjamin Bowman was a noted Fylde historian and journalist, having a wonderful memory for people, places, names and dates. Full of stories of old Blackpool he knew every prominent person who had lived there in the last century. He published a great deal and amassed a huge amount of literary and pictorial material on the history of the Fylde. Benjamin died at his home in Dunmail Avenue, Blackpool in March 1940 and was interred in Hambleton churchyard.
Wilfred Henry died in 1962 in Christchurch, Hampshire.
REFERENCES
findmypast.co.uk
ancestry.co.uk
Lancashire Evening Post, 26 March 1940
www.artistsriflesassociation.org
Their eldest son, Leonard, was killed in action in WW1. Wilfred Henry Bowman, who donated the painting in memory of his father, also served in WW1. He was in the London Regiment, 28th Battalion, known as the Artists Rifles. It was formed in 1860 and was originally composed of painters, sculptors, architects, actors and other members of artistic occupations.
Benjamin worked first as an errand boy and later in the printing works of the 'Fleetwood Chronicle'. The business moved to Blackpool, where the 'Blackpool Herald' and the 'Chronicle' were both produced. There he learnt his craft as a printer.
After a period in Bradford he returned to be the foreman of the 'Blackpool Times', earning £2 a week, later accepting a 10 shilling cut to help the then struggling paper. Finally, he became managing director, a position he held until 1920.
Benjamin Bowman was a noted Fylde historian and journalist, having a wonderful memory for people, places, names and dates. Full of stories of old Blackpool he knew every prominent person who had lived there in the last century. He published a great deal and amassed a huge amount of literary and pictorial material on the history of the Fylde. Benjamin died at his home in Dunmail Avenue, Blackpool in March 1940 and was interred in Hambleton churchyard.
Wilfred Henry died in 1962 in Christchurch, Hampshire.
REFERENCES
findmypast.co.uk
ancestry.co.uk
Lancashire Evening Post, 26 March 1940
www.artistsriflesassociation.org
