This memorial tree was planted in memory of Sergeant Robert Stanley Bowden.
Robert Stanley Bowden was born on 2 May 1892 in Paddington (London), England. He immigrated to Canada, settled in the Stittsville, Ontario region and was employed as a labourer before enlisting with the 38th (Ottawa) Battalion in February 1915. The Battalion initially trained in the Ottawa and Kingston (Barriefield) area before being ordered to Bermuda to protect the island’s military and naval installations. The Battalion then embarked for England in May 1916 as part of the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division and by August was occupying positions at the south end of the Ypres Salient, followed by service at The Somme. By December 1916, the Battalion was at Souchez, west of Vimy Ridge, conducting numerous patrols in preparation for the attack on the ridge. It is during one of these patrols that Sergeant Robert Stanley Bowden was killed on 1 March 1917. He is buried Villers Station Cemetery, about 10 km from Arras.
