AS THIS is the time of year when we remember those that have died fighting for their country, CARL BROWN found out about a soldier from Buckhurst Hill who gained one of the highest military honours.

GEORGE Bowerbank was born at a house in Rolle Villas, Buckhurst Hill, on February 13, 1884.

By the age of 28, Mr Bowerbank, had emigrated to Canada to take up an accountancy role.

On November 1, 1914, after the beginning of the First World War, Mr Bowerbank signed up to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and because of previous experience with the militia, was appointed a Lieutenant in the CEF 21st Battalion.

By mid-1915, the CEF 21st battalion had arrived in England and was transferred, along with other Canadian battlaions, to the battle of St Eloi, where Mr Bowerbank saw his first active service.

More than 30 mines were detonated by British, Canadian and German forces in the small French town, leaving huge craters which can still be seen today.

The scene was described by Donald Fraser, a Scottish soldier fighting in tthe CEF 31st , which fought alongside Mr Bowerbank's battalion.

Mr Fraser said: “Galleries were run underneath the German trenches and 30,000 pounds of ammonal (a high explosive) were laid…the five mines were exploded with telling effect, blowing the German garrisons into the air’.

Brave Mr Bowerbank impressed during the ferocious battle and was promoted to captain in July and major in September.

The CEF took part in the Spring offensive of 1917, in which Mr Bowerbank commanded a battalion involved in “trench-raiding”.

As a note found on a German soldier said: “‘I hope that the Canadians are not in trenches opposite you, for on the darkest night they jump suddenly into our trenches, causing great consternation and before cries for help can be answered have disappeared again into the darkness.”

Mr Bowerbank's battalion carried out such a raid on January 17, which has been described by Canadian historians as “a lesson in success”, taking more than 100 prisoners with few losses against an enemy with more troops.

For his part in the raid, Mr Bowerbank was awarded the Military Cross.

An article in the London Gazette said: “‘He displayed great courage in leading his men against superior numbers of the enemy.

“He set a fine example to his men and succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners.”

In October 1918, Mr Bowerbank commanded his battalion in the battle of Cambrai, in north-east France, in which Canadian forces were successful.

Mr Bowerbank was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for “conspicuous gallery and ability” which at that time was the second highest medal after the Victoria Cross.

After the war, Mr Bowerbank returned to his accountancy career.

In a recent edition of the Royal British Legion Buckhurst Hill branch newsletter, an article by Bill Oliver and Stephen Goddard said: “Until now his birth place, Buckhurst Hill, has known nothing of his contribution to the Great War.

“It would, we think, be fitting for Buckhurst Hill to have something to record his role and we should like to hear from Buckhurst Hill Parish Council and the Buckhurst Hill residents society with any ideas they might like to put forward.”