On the 20th November 1941 the cruiser HMAS Sydney was sunk.
Greg Swinden, who is currently serving in the Australian Navy, is conducting research on the men who lost their lives in this event.
As Greg explains:
“Amongst those killed was Stoker Keith Andrew Joseph BOWES (born 9 June 1922 at Wagga) and his name is on the Tarcutta War Memorial.
His parents were Thomas Dockery Bowes and Maude (Maud) Lillian Bowes (nee Paton) of Mundarlo via Tumbalong.
Thomas was born in Yorkshire and served in World War I (1914-1919) in the 6th Australian Light Horse Regiment at Gallipoli and in the Palestine Campaign.
Thomas and Maude (Maud) were married at Wagga in 1921.
Thomas died on 7 June 1959 aged 72 and is buried in the RC Section of the Tarcutta Cemetery (P19). Maude (Maud) died on 1 November 1979 and is also buried in the Tarcutta Cemetery RC section in Q23. Potentially they had two other children – Joseph and Eliza ?”
Greg is hoping that descendants might be able to assist with photos of Keith Bowes or depending on the family linkage a potential DNA sample to see if Keith is the unknown sailor from HMAS SYDNEY who is buried in the war cemetery at Geraldton, WA.
Greg is very keen to hear from any relatives, or others, who can assist with his enquiry. He can be contacted as follows:
Email: swindens@bigpond.net.au
Work phone: 02 6127 6502
Mobile: 0420 328 124
