Obituary for Frederick Rowles

Frederick Rowles was born on November 8th, 1890 at: 35 Oxford Grove, Halliwell, Bolton, Lancashire (Northwest England), the son of William and Sarah Rowles (nee Entwistle), a 'Callender in Bleachwork'.  He was baptized Jan. 17, 1891 at Holy Trinity Church, Bolton-le-Moors, Lancashire.  The 1911 census shows him age 20 and his occupation is working at the "Bleachworks'. His address was 48 Hennon Street, Bolton(Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester in North West England.).

He emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA on August 14, 1912 on the ship "SS Merion", a voyage which took 21 days.  He gave his occupation as 'labourer'.  His WW1 Registration Card (U.S.A.), tells us that he was age 26, medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair.  He gave his occupation as 'Machinist."

He enlisted in Philadelphia on March 8th, 1918 and declared his age to be 27 years, 9 months. He gave his occupation as "Driller".  On arrival in England he was posted to the Royal Engineers and served with the Docks Section of the Corps.  He was discharged on March 14th, 1919.

He married Ida Louise Bouch in Bolton, England on December 24, 1921.  He was age 31.  He gave his  occupation as 'Driller' and his address as 24 Darwin Street, Bolton, England.  His fathers' occupation was given as 'Crofter'.  Ida Louise died on December 22, 1975 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA. U.S. A.  They had at least 2 children: Doris Lilian born November 10, 1922 inBolton and Edith M. born about 1926 in Philadelphia, PA. U.S.A.  He lived in Bolton until June 21, 1923 when he sailed again for Philadelphia aboard the ship 'SS Haverford".

In 1938, he applied for Naturalization to become an American citizen.  He gave his occupation as 'Machinist' and stated that he had achieved 8th grade at elementary school.  At this time they were living at South Third Street, Colwyn, PA. 

He next appears on a Registration Card on April 27th, 1942.  All men born between April 28, 1877 and February 16, 1897 were required to register for potential War Service.  His address was given as 414 South Third Street, Colwyn, PA.  He states that he is 5'6" tall with blue eyes and brown hair.  He weighs 120lbs.  His next of kin is his wife Ida Louise Rowles.  His employer's name is given as "Westinghouse" of Lester, PA.

Frederick died on April 12, 1958 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, PA. U.S.A.