Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Family Search: When Private Frederick Henry Sowerby was born on 13 October 1890, in Yichang Diqu, Yichang, Hubei, China, his father, Rev Herbert Sowerby, was 33 and his mother, Ann Fanny Wombwell, was 38. He married Nellie Brett on 19 December 1917. They were the parents of at least 2 daughters. He lived in Liberty District, Bedford, Virginia, United States in 1930 and Staunton River Magisterial District, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States in 1950. He registered for military service in 1915. In 1950, at the age of 60, his occupation is listed as supply room in Bedford, Virginia, United States. He died on 22 June 1965, in Hurt, Pittsylvania, Virginia, United States, at the age of 74, and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Bedford, Bedford, Virginia, United States.
Private Frederick “Fred” Henry Sowerby, reg. no. 54239.
This man enlisted with the 18th Battalion at Windsor, Ontario on 17 February 1914.
He was a Farmer following the Anglican faith living in Virginia, United States of America.
He arrived in England on 29 April 1915 aboard the SS Grampian and began the next stage of his training at West Sandling Camp along with the rest of the 2nd Canadian Contingent (Division).
He was transferred from the Base Company to “A” Company on 28 August 1915.
Private Sowerby was temporarily attached to 2nd Canadian Division Sanitary Section from 12 December 1915 to 21 August 1916 and was returned to his unit.
He was granted 10 days leave on 22 January 1917 and then 14 days leave 8 December 1917
He was granted permission to marry on 19 December 1917.
He received another 14 days leave effective 6 December 1918 and was given a 2 day extension with the leave expiring 10 December 1918
He served the rest of the war with the 18th Battalion with a stint of occupation duty in Germany after the war ended.
He was discharged due to demobilization on 24 May 1919 at London, Ontario.
He returned to Roanoke area and was an avid amateur wrestler and Joined the Virginia National Guard and was an avid bugler, winning competitions and playing at many public events.
He went by Red and Fred.
Some official records have him as Henry Frederick Sowerby.
Fred H. Sowerby
BEDFORD—Fred H. Sowerby, 74, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home in Hurt.
Born in J-Chang, China, he was the son of the Rev. Herbert and Fannie Wombwell Sowerby. He was a member of the Episcopal Church. He served in the Canadian Army in World War I.
He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Edna M. de Atley of College Park, Md. and Mrs. Nellie R. Cacamindin of Washington; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Watson of Bedford, Mrs. Grace Gates of Adelphi, Md. and Mrs. Carl Barkley of Greensboro, N. C.
Carder Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 