Royal Indian Army Service Corps.

Died as a Japanese Prisoner of War on 9 June 1942.

Aged 27, he was the son of Vernon and Annie Bowker, of "Hindscarth" Manchester Road, Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of October 13th 1945 reported: -

They Died While Prisoners

Lieut. John Vernon Bowker (27), of the Indian Army, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Vernon Bowker of "Hindscarth" Manchester Road Burnley who was taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore is now reported to have died in June 1942. This information is contained in a letter from the India Office to his parents this week.

Lieut. Bowker went from India to Singapore some time before the fall of the city, and since he was reported missing in February 1942 his parents have heard nothing about him.

He was educated at Burnley Grammar School, and before joining up in February, 1940 he was employed in his father's tobacconist business in Manchester Road. His eldest brother, Phillip is in the Royal Navy.

Buried in Kranji War Cemetery Singapore.