Brave soldier was murdered in his bed

Jul 27 2010 By Vicki Eltis

Major James Bowman

THE parents of a former Weybridge resident shot dead in Afghanistan while he slept have spoken of their 'happy' son.

John and Barbara Bowman 68, who now live in Boscombe, Salisbury, are waiting to hear when their son's funeral can take place at Salisbury Cathedral, as a coroners inquest is still due to take place.

James Joshua Bowman leaves behind two older half-brothers, David and Brian, sister Louisa, 32, and a girlfriend, Lucy Chittenden.

His father, Mr Bowman, who owned Bowman's Garage, in Baker Street, said: "He loved the army and all it stood for. A letter with the words, 'Dad, this is the best thing I have done in my life', and commanding a company of Gurkha's, arrived here two days after he died.

"As with any army parent one has mixed feelings, overall we were delighted for him that he found his mission in life, the bad part is that he did not die in combat but was murdered by a traitor as he slept in his tent."

Mr Bowman spoke of his son 'extremely happy childhood' in the town, adding: "He loved Wallop, was no good at ball games but loved the countryside, wild-life, dogs, fishing and shooting, and he was a very good runner.

After Wallop, Maj Bowman went on to Hurstpierpoint College, where he made lots of friends. He was not interested in the automobile industry so the family business was sold and in 1996 the family moved to Salisbury.

Maj Bowman began his army career as a rifle platoon commander in B Company 1st Battalion The Light Infantry, and was commissioned after Sandhurst in December 1999.

The family's business, Bowman's Garage, in Baker Street traded since 1928 to 1993, and in later years ran as a Toyota dealership. The family's history goes back to 1770 when the Bowman's bakery traded in the town.

His friend, Martin's mother, Kay Williamson, also remembers James. She said:: "He was a quirky little boy and was always laughing. The boys were always in and out of each other's houses. James was always outside."

Mum, Hilary English, whose son, Christopher was also a good friend of Mr Bowman's when they attended Wallop, paid tribute. Mrs English, now of Ellesmere Road, said: "He was always good fun for all my three children. He loved adventures even then. My son remembers him with a big catapult. He was always outdoors. We were just so shocked when we heard of his death."