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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

John Rowley

In memory of:

Private John Rowley

April 22, 1915

Military Service


Service Number:

27601

Force:

Army

Unit:

Canadian Infantry (Central Ontario Regiment)

Division:

15th Bn.

Additional Information


Born:

September 7, 1889

Commemorated on Page 35 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

Panel 18 - 24 - 26 - 30

Location:


The Menin Gate Memorial is situated at the eastern side of the town of Ypres (now Ieper) in the Province of West Flanders, on the road to Menin and Courtrai. It bears the names of 55,000 men who were lost without trace during the defence of the Ypres Salient in the First World War. Designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield and erected by the Imperial (now Commonwealth) War Graves Commission, it consists of a Hall of Memory", 36.6 metres long by 20.1 metres wide. In the centre are broad staircases leading to the ramparts which overlook the moat, and to pillared loggias which run the whole length of the structure. On the inner walls of the Hall, on the side of the staircases and on the walls of the loggias, panels of Portland stone bear the names of the dead, inscribed by regiment and corps. Carved in stone above the central arch are the words:


TO THE ARMIES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE WHO STOOD HERE FROM 1914 TO 1918 AND TO THOSE OF THEIR DEAD WHO HAVE NO KNOWN GRAVE.

Over the two staircases leading from the main Hall is the inscription:

HERE ARE RECORDED NAMES OF OFFICERS AND MEN WHO FELL IN YPRES SALIENT BUT TO WHOM THE FORTUNE OF WAR DENIED THE KNOWN AND HONOURED BURIAL GIVEN TO THEIR COMRADES IN DEATH.

The dead are remembered to this day in a simple ceremony that takes place every evening at 8:00 p.m. All traffic through the gateway in either direction is halted, and two buglers (on special occasions four) move to the centre of the Hall and sound the Last Post. Two silver trumpets for use in the ceremony are a gift to the Ypres Last Post Committee by an officer of the Royal Canadian Artillery, who served with the 10th Battery, of St. Catharines, Ontario, in Ypres in April 1915."

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Memorial– Inscription on the Menin Gate … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram June 1915. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram September 1914. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper Clipping– Pte. John Rowley was killed at the 2nd battle of Ypres.  The circumstances surrounding his death and burial are described in this article.
  • Sons of England War Memorial– Designed by Charles Adamson in bronze and granite, the Sons of England war memorial is located on University Avenue at Elm Street in Toronto.  The inscription on this 1923 Memorial reads:   ERECTED BY MEMBERS OF TORONTO DISTRICTS SONS OF ENGLAND BENEFIT SOCIETY IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR.
  • Sons of England Benefit Society– Sons of England Benefit Society:  a notice of the December 29th, 1923 dedication and unveiling at University & College Streets (original location), detail from an S.O.E. membership certificate, and detail from the base of the Toronto Memorial.
  • Badge– 15th Bn cap badge. Submitted by Capt (Ret`d) S. W. Gilbert, 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team.

DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Shoulder patch– 1ST Division, 3rd Brigade shoulder patch worn by 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada). Submitted by Capt (Ret`d) S. W. Gilbert, 15th Battalion Memorial Project Team.

DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Inscription on Menin Gate Memorial– Menin Gate panel where Private John Rowley is commemorated.  Photo by BGen Young (ret) and submitted by Capt (ret) V Goldman of the 15th Bn Memorial Project.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Memorial Plaque– One of two memorial plaques dedicated on 24 April 2010 to commemorate those members of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) who fell during the 2nd Battle of Ypres 22-26 April 1915.  This memorial is located in the town of St. Julien. DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Memorial Plaque– One of two memorial plaques dedicated on 24 April 2010 to commemorate those members of the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) who fell during the 2nd Battle of Ypres 22-26 April 1915.  This memorial is located on Gravenstafel Ridge.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Record of Service– Record of Service Card (front side).  Courtesy 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH
  • Record of Service– Record of Service Card (reverse side).  Courtesy 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum.  Submitted by 15th Bn Memorial Project Team.  DILEAS GU BRATH

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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