Hi Ian, Nikki and Marielle It certainly looks like there is mounting evidence that Alan Duthie BOWKER married Ethel ATHERSTONE and not Ethel Atherstone HILTON-BARBER. Just shows how easy it is to be lead astray and the need to cross-check all information very carefully, especially if it is not well-sourced. Many apologies to Tombi and any others who corrected their data to what I said. The collective breadth, depth and sharing of knowledge in our genie community always amazes me. Thanks to all Craig -----Original Message----- From: Ian Currie Sent: Monday, October 15, 2012 7:44 AM To: south-africa-eastern-cape@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [ZA-EC] Alan Duthie BOWKER Hi Craig, Tombi and Nikki There is indeed some controversy about exactly who the wife of Alan Duthie BOWKER was. However, although I cannot prove it 100%, as I have not seen a marriage certificate yet, I think that he married Ethel ATHERSTONE, and not Ethel Atherstone HILTON-BARBER. My reasoning is as follows: Ethel Atherstone HILTON-BARBER, it would appear, from her tombstone, never married, and only died in 1949. See http://www.eggsa.org/library/main.php?g2_itemId=1314810. So she clearly did not die before Alan Duthie BOWKER, and her tombstone still gives her maiden name. I have been unable to find a tombstone for Ethel Atherstone BOWKER. The only Ethel BOWKER listed on eGGSA Gravestones is Ethel Patricia Southey BOWKER, nee STIRK (http://www.eggsa.org/library/main.php?g2_itemId=1642925) Like, Tombi, I did not keep references when I started out (bad,bad,bad), but I have Ethel ATHERSTONE's date of birth as 5 June 1878, and that she is the daughter of Walter ATHERSTONE and Mary Ann Hornsby BLAKE. There are photographs of these two people in my great-grandmother's (Williamina CURRIE, nee BOWKER) photo album (see photo no. 90 here - http://1820settlers.com/modules.php?name=gallery2&g2_itemId=2627&g2_page=5). As you say, Craig, there are so many cross-linkages in these families that it can become very confusing. I would be very keen to hear what other listers think, as Alan Duthie BOWKER was my grandmother's (Olive CURRIE, nee BOWKER) brother. Kind regards Ian Currie On 2012/10/14 11:34 AM, Craig Hilton-Taylor wrote: > Hi Tombi > > Many thanks for all the extra details, that helped fill a few gaps. The > one > big difference I have concerns: > > 5. Alan Duthie BOWKER born abt Feb 1879 Graham's Town, Albany Eastern > Cape > of Good Hope died 24 March 1918 Flanders during WW1 married Ethel Mary > ATHERSTONE born May 1881, Graham's Town, Albany, Eastern Cape of Good Hope > died 11 August 1963 Johannesburg, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. > > I have Alan's wife as Ethel Atherstone HILTON-BARBER (born 31 Mar 1878 in > the Cape and died BEF 1918). Ethel was the daughter of Hilton > HILTON-BARBER > (1842-1928) and Fanny ATHERSTONE. Alan and Ethel married on 10 Mar 1909 > in > St Michael's and All Angel's Church, Middleton, Cape, South Africa. > > In support of this, if you look at the Memorial Inscription to Alan on the > Commonwealth Graves Commission website > (http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/309828/BOWKER,%20ALAN%20DUTHIE) > it reads: > > "In Memory of > Lieutenant ALAN DUTHIE BOWKER > > 4th Regt., South African Infantry > who died age 38 > on 24 March 1918 > Son of Miles and Elizabeth Mary BOWKER; husband of the late Ethel > Atherstone > BOWKER. > Remembered with honour > HEM FARM MILITARY CEMETERY, HEM-MONACU" > > So his wife's 2nd name was Atherstone, and she had died before Alan was > killed in the Battle of the Somme. > > > > There are so many cross linkages between these families and the same names > keep recurring hence it is very easy to get the wrong people linked up. So > I > am not sure which of us is correct - can anyone else help? > > Best wishes > Craig > > >