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1892 - 21/03/1918

Place of birth: Bromley, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: 8 Devonshire Square

Military information

Regiment/Service: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)
Battalion/Ship: 1st Bn
Rank: Sergeant Major
Number: 9103
Awards: Military Medal

Family information

Parents: Henry Wheeler & Emily Ann Casemore (nee Allen)
Parents' occupation: French polisher
Siblings: Violet Emily, Stewart Henry, Ernest Louis, Walter (d), Daisy Lilian, Rose Mary (d), Gertrude Minnie Elizabeth, James William
Relatives on War Memorial: HENHAM, A.
Wife: Nellie Longhurst
Marriage date: 1916

Census information

1901
Address: 65 Simpsons Road
1911
Address: Army, Colchester
Occupation: Soldier

Extra details

Rowland was the second youngest of Henry and Emily Casemore's nine children. He attended Aylesbury Road School. On leaving school he went to work for Mr Barrett, the fishmonger, on Widmore Road.

In 1909 he joined the West Yorkshire Regiment, serving mainly in Malta and Scutari. When war broke out his regiment was drafted home from Malta but Rowland stayed on as a machine gun instructor. He was eventually sent home but was quickly drafted to the Front on 21st January 1915. In late 1916 Rowland was made a sergeant due to his gallantry in getting his men out of a trench during a liquid fire attack, he was also awarded the Military Medal. Rowland was reported missing in March 1918, a year later his body was identified and buried at Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy.

Rowland had married Nellie Longhurst in 1916. She lost her mother at the same time that Rowland was reported missing. Rowland's sister Daisy's husband Alfred Henham also lost his life.