On the 30th October 1915 the following was published in the Malvern News: Mr W J Rowberry, of Oak Villa, Worcester Road, Malvern Link has received the worst news regarding his son Joseph Rowberry. He hadn’t heard anything from him for three months, and has now heard through a letter from Sgt Hopkins to his mother in Broad Street, Worcester:

“I am more than sorry to say I can tell you about poor Joe Rowberry. He was in the ‘hill’ fight where I lost all my pals on the 10/8/15. He died fighting beside his officer, Major Moss, to whom he was servant. The Major was killed by a bomb and poor Joe a second after was shot through the heart. I saw him drop, but could not get near him on account of the dead and wounded. It was hell. Tell his friends he was very brave, but careless. I am sure he killed the bomber who killed his officer and he was the only one left near that spot after the bomb had fallen. He died a soldier and a brave man.”

Mr Rowberry made official enquiries, but has had no news – none of his letters to his son were returned and Warwick Record Office has told him that in this case and in the absence of official notification not to worry.”

Whether this offical notification actually arrived is unclear. Two years later the Rowberry’s lost another son, George who served with the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Malvern News 30/10/15