James (Jim) was the edlest son of John and Maggie Bowman and lived in Bethany Street, Ballyhachamore, Belfast, after moving from Newtownards.  Before the Great War Jim worked as an apprentice painter in the family business Messrs, J & S Bowman & Company based at 330 Upper Newtownards Road.

In 1914 aged 19, he and his father John both signed the Ulster Covenant, and when Jim enlisted he joined the East Belfast Volunteers 8th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 107th Brigade of the 36th(Ulster) Division and served as an Signaller.

He was killed in action 2nd July 1916 aged 21 and has no known grave. At that time his widowed father John Bowman, lived at 30 Sandown Road, Ballyhackamore, Belfast and his uncle and aunt E & M McKibbin lived at 20 North Street, Newtownards.  Collectively they placed a For KING and COUNTRY notice in the 22nd July edition of the Newtownards Chronicle.

Jim is remembered with honour by all the Bowman family from Newtownards, Belfast, Holywood, London, England and across the world.

(Great Nephews, Stephen & Philip Bowman)

Volunteers and served as a signaller. 

Stephen Bowman